Namib Independent Issue 103 by The Namib Independent

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Issue 103 - Thursday, 12 June 2014 to Wednesday, 18 June 2014

PENIS IN THE PARK

SHOCKING PARCEL DELIVERED

TEXTING & DRIVING

lIQUORLAND REVAMPS

Incompetence

(Not Market Prices) Leads to Rossing Job Cuts Why Rossing will not survive unless it does something completely drastic, and does it soon. Lavrenty Repin The last ten years have been a rollercoaster ride for Rossing; where production was over 4500 tonnes in 2006, it will not reach 2000 tonnes this year. In 2010, the mine discovered a new deposit, named Z20 Uranium, as a replacement for the current depleting resources – this has now been put on indefinite hold. In 2012 they lost N$194 million, yet in 2013 they made a net profit of N$32 million. Now, the 24/7 mine has cut

its productivity to only five days a week, losing more than 100 working days and cutting almost 600 jobs in the last two years. It is difficult to believe Managing Director Werner Duvenhage’s optimism that the mine will be back on track in a few years, that this rescaling actually increases the life-expectancy of the mine, and that prices will increase, some international commentators claim, to as high as the uranium market boom nearly a decade ago. A series of unprecedented events lead to the astronomically high prices (around US$138/Ib) experienced in 2006/7, including reductions in available weaponsgrade uranium, a fire at Australia's Olympic Dam mine, significant flooding in Canada's Cigar Lake mine, and the need for fuel at power plants that extended their licenses; this lead companies like

Rossing to up their supply, but because Rossing works on longterm contracts, which retain the same value despite market price fluctuation, the company didn’t make the profit it potentially could from the high prices. However, it did increase productivity, jobs and infrastructure to accommodate the demand. Since then, prices have plummeted down to as little as US$28/Ib last week, when the retrenchment announcement was finally made. With the market stagnant, Rossing has cut costs, last year by N$300 million, with the hopes that the worst was over, and this year by N$1 billion – peoples’ jobs followed suit. At last week’s media briefing, the company widely cited the Fukushima incident as one of the Continued on Page 3

ErongoRed Hopes to

Spare Consumers Again Tanya Calitz

Following the distressing announcement by the Electricity Consumer Board (ECB) a few weeks back of a 13.22% power

tariff increase, ErongoRed suggested to absorb about 3% of the cost, leaving the consumer to only take on a proposed 10.8% of the increase for the financial year 2014/2015.

Furthermore, the company also proposed to the ECB to not increase the tariffs for pensioners, nor to burden them with the basic charge for up to 40 amps. This news came at meetings held in Kuisebmond

A brave firefighter extinguishing the blazing flames in the second devastating fire for the week. See story on page 4. and Narraville for the public and senior citizens this week. ErongoRed has in the past two years absorbed some of the burden by increasing its own tariffs at a slightly less rate than the Nampower increase. Last year, despite an increase by Nampower of 13%, ErongoRed increased its tariff by only 11%. In 2012 Nampower called for a massive 25% increase, however, the ECB awarded only 17%. Erongo Red in return passed only 13% to its consumers, absorbing the rest by implementing internal company cost cuts. Another relief to consumers is that the ECB announced that there will be no increase for the ECB levy, which will remain at 0.015c/kWh

for the 2014/2015 Financial Year. The Ministry of Mines and Energy introduced the National Electricity Fund (NEF) Levy of 0.0102c/kWh in 2013, which will also not be increased for the 2014/2015 Financial Year. Sadly, despite the continuous finger pointing at ErongoRed for crippling the consumers’ pockets, not a single soul showed up for the general public meeting in Narraville Continued on Page 3

2 | News

Thursday, 12 June 2014

The Dolphin Schools were established 2003. The Schools are The registered as 100% with the of Education. The Dolphin Schools were in established in 2003. Schools are private registered as Ministry 100% private We offer tuition pre-primary to Grade 12. with thefrom Ministry of Education. We offer tuition from pre-primary to Grade 12. Our students follow the curricula of thecurricula Independent Board (I.E.B). The Independent Board Our students follow the of Examinations the Independent Examinations Board Examinations (I.E.B). The system Independent is considered by Examinations many tertiary institutions, and studentsby to bemany a moretertiary challenging, comprehensive Board teachers, system parents is considered institutions, assessment when compared other to educational systems. The Independent Examinations Board system puts our teachers, parents with andmany students be a more challenging, comprehensive assessment when schoolscompared on par with some the best private schools, not only in Namibia, also in South Africa. It definitely provides with ofmany other educational systems. The but Independent Examinations Board our students withputs a clear advantage seeking continue and training after grade locally and system our schoolswhen on par withtosome of their the education best private schools, not only12in- both Namibia, internationally. but also in South Africa. It definitely provides our students with a clear advantage when

TEACHER VACANCIES 2015

seeking to continue their education and training after grade 12 - both locally and internationally.

Grade R

TEACHER VACANCIES 2015 Home Language Grade 1 English

Closing date for all applications: 30 June 2014 Key performance areas: Key performance areas: • Participation in extra–curricular programs • Participation in extra–curricular programs Please send your complete CV with a cover letter• to The the development Executive Committee, P. full O. Box of students to the • The development of students to the full 4403, Walvis Bay or hand deliver at 38 Hage Geinkob Street, Walvis Bay or mail to • Register class responsibilities • Own continuous academic and professional dolphinschools@mweb.com.na or office@tds.edu.na • Own continuous academic and professional development development Qualifications/Requirements: Qualifications/Requirements: • Junior Primary Teaching Diploma or Degree Grade R• Junior Primary Teaching Diploma or Degree • At least 2 references Key performance areas: • At least 2 references  Participation in extra–curricular programs  The development of students to the full  Own continuous academic Technology Grade 8 - 9 Mathematics Teacher Grade 8 - 12 and professional development

Advanced Math Program Grade 10 – 12

Engineering Graphics and Design Grade 10 – 12

Qualifications/Requirements:  Junior Primary Teaching Diploma or Degree Key performance areas: Key performance areas:  At least • Subject teaching in English medium • Subject teaching 2 inreferences English medium • Participation in extra–curricular programs • Participation in extra–curricular programs Language • Register class responsibilities • The development of students to Grade the full 1 English Home performance areas: • The development of students to the full • Key Register class responsibilities Participation in extra–curricular • Own continuous academic and professional • Own continuous academic and professionalprograms  The development of students to the full development development  Register class responsibilities  Own continuous academic and professional development Qualifications/Requirements: Qualifications/Requirements: • Applicable Tertiary Qualification (degree / diploma) • B.Sc / B.Com degree with Mathematics as major • Secondary school teaching diploma • Qualifications/Requirements: Secondary school teaching diploma  Junior Primary Teaching Diploma or Degree • At least 2 references • At least 2 references  At least references Examinations • Experience of the Independent Examinations Board • Experience of the2Independent system will be an advantage Board system will be an advantage

Chanté Nell 081 667 4694

chante@namibindependent.com.na

Hilda Swanepoel 081 617 5889 hilda@namibindependent.com.na

Gareth Amos 081 128 2197

gareth@namibindependent.com.na

Editorial Tanya Calitz Design Maggie's Attic Graphic Design

tanya@namibindependent.com.na sonya4maggiesattic@gmail.com

Address 127 Theo Ben Gurirab Street ,

PO Box 5085, Walvis Bay, Namibia

Disclaimer: Namib Independent is published by Halfround Communications CC. All rights are reserved. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information contained within, no liability can be accepted by the publishers or contributors for any errors, misstatements or omissions which may have occurred. The opinions expressed in the publication are not necessarily those of the publishers. Also, the publishers accept no legal liability regarding copyright ownership for material which was supplied directly to the publishers by any of the advertisers or contributors.

Closing date for all applications: 30 June 2014 Please send your complete CV with a cover letter to the Executive Committee, P. O. Box 4403, Walvis Bay or hand deliver at 38 Hage Geinkob Street, Walvis Bay or mail to dolphinschools@mweb.com.na or office@tds.edu.na

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News | 3

Thursday, 12 June 2014 Continued from Page 1 main reasons for the cuts, because as a result of the Fukushima meltdown, uranium companies are missing out on Japan’s 9071 tonnes annual consumption of uranium as all 48 nuclear reactors continue to remain offline. Rossing’s report predicted the restart of at least some nuclear reactors in Japan by this time this year, but prospects have been gloomy, and one school of thought even believes that Japan will never restart its nuclear program again. A likelier scenario is that Japan will take a considerable time before it enters the market, and even then only at a fraction of its original capacity. Although Rossing points to this as a large contributing factor in its decision to cut jobs and production, reality is that trade with Japan accounts for only 9% of their clients. The rest of Asia, on the other hand, makes up 22% of Rossing’s uranium sales. However, with the entrance of Husab Mine, a Chinese owned company that does not rely on Uranium prices because it supplies China’s growing market (32 nuclear reactors currently under construction) directly, much as AREVA in Namibia supplies the French government with “energy” rather than “raw uranium”, Rossing is missing out on large contracts. Of course, presently Rossing is surviving on long-term contracts where prices are set and companies or governments have an obligation to complete them, but this only side-shelves the real problem: that there is no market for the world’s second biggest open pit mine. Why would China or even France renew contracts with Rossing once they expire, if they have their own interests in mines just a few kilometres away? Another 22% of its sales are made up by Europe (which, due to protests and public safety concerns is moving away from nuclear reactors as an energy solution), Africa and the Middle East. The largest chunk (44%) of Rossing’s sales is exported to North America, who have just completed a ten-yearold landmark deal with Russia where a large proportion of uranium was extracted from depleted nuclear weapons. According to the World Nuclear Association, the military

Incompetence Leads to Rossing Job Cuts

ErongoRed Hopes to

Spare Consumers Again Continued from Page 1

materials (roughly 20 000 Russian nuclear warheads) supply about 50 percent of U.S. reactor fuel. As weapons decrease, this trend is set to change, but not anytime soon, because presently supplies are high and demand is low and there are enough nuclear weapons around to last the States another ten years. Naturally, recent news that the USA will focus even more on nuclear energy is welcoming for Rossing, but plans in America are set to move the giant consumer further away from expensive importation by constructing more efficient enrichment facilities (four to five times more effective) currently emerging across Europe, threatening raw uranium exporters by making the process cheaper and bringing uranium prices down. Finally, there is ISR mining, known as “solution mining”, a cheaper, quicker and more environmentally friendlier method of extracting uranium directly from the ground, as opposed to hard-rock mining and although the former yields significantly less uranium than, say, Rossing style openpit mining, the US government has opted to focus on utilising it on environmental grounds; still, 84% (+/-200 000 tonnes) of Americas uranium consumption is exported from companies such as Rossing. We often like to boast how Namibia is the fourth largest uranium producer in the world, which is true, but that amounts to only 6.9% of the world market. The mine has been producing less than the 4000 ton target since 2010 which resulted in job cuts, 276 employees last year and 265 roles this

year. Rossing is simply not producing such a significant amount of uranium, on a world scale, and what is more, this figure is only decreasing. Whether because of unpredictable supply/demand, or because of a tide of change rippling across Asia and Europe, countries who are making uranium a government business or the depletion of uranium resources in the area; most likely a conglomeration of the all factors are leading to poorer results year after year. The bottom line is that Rossing is missing out on big markets and reducing both operational time, costs and productivity is likely to drive away international customers; a prospect, which indicates that restarting operations back to their glory days, as Mr Duvenhage hopes to achieve by 2017, is unlikely for the Australian backed company.

Namibia Energy Mix

on Monday to engage in dialogue with the company and voice their concerns. This year in anticipation of the increases, Erongo Red has embarked on a comprehensive education campaign outlining numerous methodologies that may be employed to cut one’s electricity usage significantly and thus help take the sting out of any increase that comes into effect on 1 July 2014, even if it does match the ECB rates for 2014.

Aggreko 16%

Ruacana 44%

Eskom 17%

Zesco 12% Zesa 11%

Expected Bulk Electricity Prices 2012-2017 NamPower's price projection, in N$/kWh 1.80

1.60

1.39

1.40

1.20

0.90

1.00

1.04

0.80 0.60 0.40 0.20 0.00

2012/13

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2015/16

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4 | News

Thursday, 12 June 2014

Shack Fires Bring Out Best and Worst Gareth Amos

Winter is once again upon us and accompanying it is the dreaded scourge that is shack fires. In just the last few days, our coastal community has once again felt the anger and anguish that these awful fires bring upon us and, this being only the birth of the winter months, we (unfortunately) may expect a number more before the warmth of the summer months returns. Speaking to a number of first responders (brave fire fighters and the emergency medical fraternity) over the last while, one is reminded that, as with all catastrophe and strive, our human frailties and valour rear their heads once again. Fortunately, in our specific instance, not in equal measures. The valour and bravery corner comes out head and shoulders above our frailties and callousness. Eye witness reports list the first responders at Tuesday evening’s awful scenes of carnage not as the well clad and protected fire-fighters, but as young boys, not yet men, selflessly placing themselves in harm’s way in their night clothes and armed only with your everyday garden hosepipes. These courageous boys (roughly 12 to 15 years old by all accounts) quickly surmounted the brick

buildings next to the blazing shacks and began the process of extinguishing the fierce fires with the hoses. One is left to ponder if children in the west or in more well-to-do areas of our community, and Namibia in general, would be as swift to take action in such horrific and dangerous circumstances. Another fringe of the valiant and heroic are those that instinctively run from positions of the surest safety, not away from the fire, but towards it in an effort to help those caught in epicentre of cataclysmic flames. These are the ordinary folk that run time and time again into the sweltering fire to rescue the scant belongings of victims too traumatised to do so for themselves. These are the folks that risk life and limb not for relatives or friends, but for strangers unknown to themselves. They do this not for reward but out of a sense of kinship with their fellow brethren, for other humans. Moving on from the valiant we meet the extraordinary, the astonishing, from the run into a burning inferno to save the baby ilk, only this time they are quite literally running into the building for the baby. Reports from an eyewitness on the scene tell of a devastated woman standing on the fires fringe wailing for the loss of her bed only to be brought back to reality by the screams of her neighbours… “Where is your child…where is your child?” Woken from the nightmare of the mind, she realised that her child is not her arm, but still in there somewhere… “My child, my child!” Upon hearing this, more than a handful of souls rush the fire to retrieve the child, and retrieve it they did. In no uncertain terms, this is humanity at her most brilliant. Such valour is found only in the chasms of the

deepest despair. Unfortunately, each coin, as we know, is double sided and where there are heroes one finds the occasional villain. I refuse to dedicate more than a few words to those that let us down, that let their communities down, that let humanity down. These are the folk that use the cover of catastrophe to bring to bear the very worst within us. These are the horrid ones who sweep

the scene with the single intention of looting from the victims, seeking only to profit from pain. For shame, hide your faces and weep. This is not us as a people. Ours are a strong people, a bold people, a brave and unselfish people. Ours are a phenomenally resilient contingent of humanity that may not extinguish the flames but nevertheless shine a light on all that is good.

News | 5

Thursday, 12 June 2014

Shack Fire Stirs Racial Flames Gareth Amos

The recent shack fire tragedies have given flame to an all-together tragedy of different kind, the sad reality that just below the surface, our community is still so readily susceptible to the scourge that is racism. Following Tuesday night’s terrible shack fire in Kuisebmund, the Namib Independent posted an image of the carnage on our Facebook page, which, starting with the very first post, took a turn towards the racially charged left, creating an emotionally charged conversation on the matter. What follows are the comments, which speak for themselves.

Tamba Da Dalit Bravo Riana Hamilton Visser, see the comments of Tunino R Haskell asking who allows shacks to be built in kuisebmund, and Alta Forster saying they don't learn, do you think people want to live in shacks? Stop making selfish comments, just because they didn't mention blacks doesn't mean they are not racist!!! Riana Hamilton Visser I must be colour blind??

Poverty has no face, race, colour or religion. Alta Forster Maar hulle leer ook nie Andrew Meyer It is cold, and the people try to generate heat by using open flames ... Tunino R Haskell Andrew you are right, things like this happens and who do we blame? Who allows shacks to be built at the houses in Kuisebmond, if I make a small structural change to my house I need Municipal approval. Jeanette Scheun How terrible! I pray that no-one was hurt Tamba Da Dalit Bravo You white people don't build shacks because you are rich. Selfish. Mxm Riana Hamilton Visser Eishhhhhh you miss the point. What have you done to better the status quo???? I forgot if we white we born with gold card and endless money!!!! Tamba Da Dalit Bravo What point did I miss, if you don't understand ghetto life then shut your mouth

Tamba Da Dalit Bravo Ok, looks like you know....you not one of those ones criticising, shacks. sorry!! Saegran Dietrich Feet dragging by municipality to provide erven and slow or no development in Walvis Bay is the cause of shacks being build and unfortunately burned causing unnecessary death ! Riana Hamilton Visser Tamba Da Dalit Bravo it is a pity that once again you have to pull the race card. It really shows your age & ignorance Riana Hamilton Visser Poverty has no face, race, colour or religion.

The Dolphin Schools wereinestablished in 2003. The Schools areprivate registered asMinistry 100% private The Dolphin Schools were established 2003. The Schools are registered as 100% with the of Education. thefrom Ministry of Education. We offer tuition from pre-primary to Grade 12. We offerwith tuition pre-primary to Grade 12. Our follow students follow of thethecurricula of Examinations the Independent Examinations BoardExaminations (I.E.B). The Our students the curricula Independent Board (I.E.B). The Independent Board Independent Examinations Board teachers, systemparents is considered tertiary institutions, system is considered by many tertiary institutions, and students by to bemany a more challenging, comprehensive teachers, parentswith andmany students to be a more challenging, comprehensive assessment assessment when compared other educational systems. The Independent Examinations Board systemwhen puts our withofmany systems. ThebutIndependent Examinations schools compared on par with some the bestother privateeducational schools, not only in Namibia, also in South Africa. It definitelyBoard provides system schools on seeking par with the education best private schools, only Namibia, our students withputs a clearour advantage when to some continueoftheir and training afternot grade 12 in - both locally and internationally. but also in South Africa. It definitely provides our students with a clear advantage when seeking to continue their education and training after grade 12 - both locally and internationally.

PRINCIPAL

TEACHER VACANCIES 2015 This position calls for a confident, charismatic leader and communicator with a good mix of strong academic

and intellectual prowess and knowledge, backed by proven, hands-on experience in education and teacher Closing dategiven for all 30 June 2014 management. Adaptable yet single-minded, to applications: big-picture thinking yet detail-focused, the ideal candidate will have the confidence to embrace an inclusive style leadership.

Please send your complete CV with a cover letter to the Executive Committee, P. O. Box

4403, Bay or position hand deliver Hageinsight Geinkob Street, Bay mail to The personWalvis best suited to this will haveatthe38 strategic to assess whereWalvis to build on the or schools dolphinschools@mweb.com.na or office@tds.edu.na successes and where to adjust the direction for the future. An application will not, in itself, entitle the applicant to an interview or an appointment, as only short-listed candidates will be interviewed.

Grade R

Key performance areas:  Participation in extra–curricular programs School profile: www.thedolphinschools.org  The development of students to the full  Own continuous academic and professional development Please send your complete CV with a cover letter to the Executive Committee, P.O. Box 4403, Walvis Bay or hand deliver at 38 Hage Geinkob Street, Walvis Bay or mail to dolphinschools@mweb.com.na or office@tds.edu.na Qualifications/Requirements:  Junior Primary Teaching Diploma or Degree Closing date for applications: 30 June 2014  At least 2 references

Assumption of duties: As soon as possible Grade 1 English Home Language

Key performance areas:  Participation in extra–curricular programs  The development of students to the full  Register class responsibilities  Own continuous academic and professional development

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6 | News

Thursday, 12 June 2014

Penis in the Park Tanya Calitz An extremely distressed mother of three told the Namib Independent how disgusted she was when she took her daughter to a park in the Lagoon area, where a man was laying on his back next to the swings, masturbating while his penis was completely exposed, also staring at them. But she was even more so upset by the fact that the police did not apprehend the man, nor take any official statements. According to the mother the police were called to assist with the situation, which can potentially be a very dangerous one, and arrived shortly after. Once the police arrived the suspect left the swings area and resided under a tree in the park. He was then approached by the police, while the complainant stood a few meters away observing the situation. “The police had a few words with the man, but did not show any signs of authority,” the mother explained, clearly not satisfied with how the police handled it. Watching the scenario from afar, she decided to take a photo with her phone to have evidence of the alleged sexual predator and that the police were at the scene. “One of the officers saw me, and immediately lost interest in the suspect and approached asking me why I was taking photos. I explained and stressed that we felt very threatened by this man who exposed himself and wanted him removed.” According to the mother the police informed her that they have no authority or grounds on which to arrest or remove the man. She argued her point to the police a few times, until the one officer annoyingly said that they should just ignore her and leave, and left. Speaking to Detective Inspector Erastus Iikuyu from Nampol, exposing oneself in such a manner in public is a criminal act (indecent exposure). However, in a

Municipality Launches Green Environmental Project Lavrenty Repin

scenario where the police are called out to assist, the complainant, who will be assumed to be the eye witness, has to lay a charge or give a statement in order for police to investigate or take the matter further. Nonetheless, the complainant said that she was simply told that they [police] can do nothing. “The police never explained the situation to me, nor encourage me to make a case. All I wanted was for this man to be removed, because he posed a threat,” the mother explained. Another Lagoon resident expressed his astonishment at the incident, calling it intolerable. “How can I possibly now send my daughter to the park with her nanny or sister, knowing that there are dodgy wankers like that one hanging out in our park, preying on our kids?” According to the mother, she has seen this blue overall character in the park a few times. Iikuyu said that the public can phone the Nampol 24/7 emergency number anytime to report these kinds of suspicious behaviour. Emergency numbers are: 081 485 0954 or 064 219 048. The paper also queried Nampol about the officers’ behaviour on the scene, but by the time of going to print had not yet received a response.

Launched by the Erongo Regional Governor Honorable Cleophas Mutjavikua on World Environment Day, the Green Environmental Project aims to bring Swakopmund up to date on recycling. In his opening speech, the Governour explained, “There is a need to encourage future leaders to be naturally curious and open to learning about nature, and a need to constantly create opportunities to help children bond with nature and learn about the environment.” The project is aimed at promoting environmental conservation through environmental education and ecotourism. It will especially focus on rasing awareness in schools and uniting different students to participate in environmentally educational programs. As a result, local businesses, schools and residents are awarded for taking steps to promote environmental sustainability within Swakopmund – environmentally savvy residents are encouraged to apply for an eco-mate award with the municipality. The launch awarded four local organisations certificates in recognition of their ecological practices towards environmental conservation. Mayor Kambueshe said that this project was basically a phase two of the already existing and successful Project Shine, which also had its seventh annual launch on the same day. The project hosts annual clean-up campaigns to maintain Swakopmund’s clean resort-town image – but the new project will aim at recycling, something that Mayor Kambueshe is adamant will become widespread in the coastal town. “We want everyone in town to understand the importance of recycling, and benefit from it too. Projects like this

happen often in the DRC area, although are not marketed as well,” Kambueshe said, announcing that “Swakopmund has an image to protect and a reputation to maintain.” The Swakopmund Municipality has for long insisted that it is moving towards a greener look, with numerous parks planned for the town, general residential and disadvantaged residential areas. While the Municipality has been met with praise for its environmental initiatives, the newly planned project is overshadowed by a new project, named Desert Rose but that aims at utilising a previously untouched environmentally protected area, located along the pristine shore-front area of Patrysberg / Caution reef, between Swakopmund and Long Beach, to construct an international convention centre and rezone erven for residential purposes, a move that has already sparked condemnation from many Swakopmunder residents.

red

power to the people

POWER OUTAGE HAKASEB IN USAKOS ON THE 11KV RETICULATION

Notice is hereby given that the electricity supply will be interrupted on the following date: DATE: DAY: TIME:

19 June 2014 Thursday 07:00-17:00

The power outage will affect the power supply to customers in: • Hakaseb • Erongosig • MTC • Telecom/TN Mobile The reason for the power outage is for Erongo RED to replace the 200kVA Hakaseb Mini Sub with a new 315kVA Mini Sub. Erongo RED regrets any inconvenience which may result from this outage. PLEASE NOTE: YOUR INSTALLATION MUST BE REGARDED AS “LIVE” AT ALL TIMES AS THE POWER SUPPLY MAY BE SWITCHED ON AT ANY TIME DURING THE ABOVEMENTIONED PERIOD. Issued by: Public Relations Division Benjamin Nangombe Tel: +264 64 214 600

Enquiries: Control Centre Stephen Muller Tel: +264 64 217 609

TEL + 264 64 214 600 FAX +264 64 214 601 ERONGO RED BUILDING 91 HAGE GEINGOB STREET P O BOX 2925 WALVIS BAY NAMIBIA

erongored.com

News | 7

Thursday, 12 June 2014

The Devil Who Self-Regulates Hell Opinion by Lavrenty Repin The practice of consumerism, like the culture of alcohol, is as old as civilisation itself; as soon as people living in groups would have the need to spend eight or nine hours trying to find food, people started spending or consuming in excess of their basic needs, a sociological phenomenon that led to everything from the idea of strong family ties

to the global economic market; in short consumerism is currently the basis of our democracy, culture and way of life. Alcohol too is as old as living history; some of the first single-celled organisms extracted energy not from glucose but from ethanol. We in turn found more corruptible ways of consuming it, and misusing it. But unlike many other commodities, alcohol is not ordinary, and the

involvement of large corporations in its production, advertisement and distribution leaves a vulnerable gap in society. This gap is why companies are not allowed to legally sell narcotics (mostly) as governments know all too well how easily greedy corporations can misuse human desire. It is for the same reason that Namibia has taken the law into its own hands, snatching it from the greasy palms

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of tobacco companies, and made cigarette advertisement illegal – even if this (some might say) infringes on the fundamentals of capitalism. And it is for this reason that the Namibian government controls the advertising powers of alcohol companies operating in the country, right? You would not be expected to think otherwise, especially in a country where alcohol is the root of countless social and economic problems, but you would be wrong – the Namibian alcohol industry is self-regulated, as is the case with lots of other countries, many European, around the planet. A campaign known as #self-regulationislike draws on some accurate examples. “Self-regulation is like asking Tom to promise never to chase Jerry,” or “Selfregulation is like asking the Godfather to make you an offer you can refuse.” It is counterintuitive to believe that an alcohol business that depends on alcohol loving-, not alcohol fearing-customers, can successfully achieve any real public awareness of the dangers alcohol consumption has. According to Professor Doug Sellman (University of Ontago), “Age 15 to 24 is a nearly perfect market for the alcohol industry… it’s that stage in our lives when we’ve still got a disconnected brain which allows us to have this natural happiness.” Obviously, this is easily manipulated and exploited by alcohol companies, making the youngsters customers for life. A study suggests that every single alcohol advertisement these young adults witness increases the number of drinks they consume by 1%. Another study concluded that kids in the UK know the brands of alcohol better than the brands of cakes and chocolates. In Namibia however, the issue is infinitely more serious; we too have a selfregulatory alcohol industry, but the issue is not raised. Independent organisations to combat the status quo do not exist and the almost non-existent competition in our market means that the monopoly belongs to one or two companies – mainly the Namibian Breweries. Advertisement by the Breweries has been robust and unprecedented in our small country, utilising billboards and posters, sponsoring countless concerts, sport events and charity shows, allowed both TV and radio airtime and used by Government authority as a sponsor for numerous projects; i.e Namibian Breweries sponsored the Swakopmund Municipality’s Green Environmental Project this week - all this while politicians continue to call on Namibians to drink less, blaming the growing social problems in our country on their inability to control their desires! Indeed, there is little doubt that unchecked alcohol consumption and

distribution is a contributing factor to everything wrong in our country, ranging from poor education (underage drinking), health, domestic violence and high prison rates to high unemployment. The San population, who have become dirt poor and lost the greater part of their culture and way of life, can directly blame an irresponsible alcohol industry who flooded shebeens that served an unaware and unprepared people, crippling their pockets, their culture and their future. The San is an extreme case, easily cited, but Namibia as a whole suffers from the same ailment, and will continue to suffer for a long time to come. SAIF Namibia (Self-regulating Alcohol Industry Forum) is responsible for spreading alcohol awareness for companies like Namibian Breweries, The House of Wine, Camelthorn and Castle Beer. They have an impressively active Facebook page, which updates the online community on the dangers of drinking, provides interesting and worrying statistics and educates people that are desperately in need of educating. Unfortunately, their efforts are centralised, and little is done to spread further awareness. They have a few billboards (unmentionable compared to those encouraging drinking), but themselves have admitted that “Our strategy is to rather focus in programs and projects that promote responsible drinking than to advertise the organisation.” They explain that “engaging with the community” is the best way to raise awareness – but again, they are regulating companies with no regulations, who engage with the communities on a weekly basis. On SAIF’s board sits a member of each alcohol industry in Namibia and deliberates on how to teach people not to consume too much of their product – and then they tell us that they know what they are doing! Is this a joke? Come holiday season and the Namib Breweries are sponsoring roadblocks and road awareness. “Drink responsibly” ads feature in all the newspapers, the same one rotating each year that I am sure you must have seen before; a pair of car keys next to a glass of red wine. Namibian Breweries have never produced wine. If they actually want to, as they claim, make a better future for this country, they should put a Windhoek Lager bottle next to a wrecked car and have a slogan reading, “Our beer reduces concentration, and dying doesn’t make you cool.” Only then can they claim, through their celebrity ambassadors, that they mean what they say. But the responsibility truly lies with our Government, which must limit the power that alcohol industries have in the same way it has limited the power of big tobacco.

8 | News

Wishing the Namib Independent the happiest of birthdays

Walvis Bay - Tel: 20 3318 | Swakopmund - Tel: 40 3418 Magiel: 081 260 2258

Thursday, 12 June 2014

News | 9

Thursday, 12 June 2014

I’m Being Social, Now F*ck You!

Opinion by Gareth Amos rage on display at every turn. One needs only to I have forever felt read comments on any compelled to pen a piece content providers’ pages on the phenomenon that or even on group pages is the absolute dissolution of which the transgressor of social morals and is not even a part. Rude norms, the absence of comments are the order decorum and decency of the day and nasty that afflicts a significant comments, sometimes portion of the Facebook even death threats, have family like a disease, who become ubiquitous on I wager are otherwise virtually any website that decent folk in the flesh. seeks to engage readers As a newspaper in discussion. Having providing a steady stream pondered upon the matter of stories and opinions on in earnest, I surmise the medium, I find myself numerous elements may dreadfully dumbfounded be in play, pushing the daily by the unfettered pensive towards profanity. malevolence, malice and Primarily we find

ourselves thrust upon a new medium that promotes a watered down form of social behaviour, unaccustomed to which we remain. Missing from this specific social platform is our personhood, our gestures and the subtleties of body language. We become all too easily a mask behind a mask. For the most part, people are genuinely warm and not without compassion, at least under normal circumstances of interaction. Consider however, that we all suffer from one or other malady at the best of times, and although we may be afflicted on occasion by fear, selfloathing and rage, pain and a host of insecurities, we intrinsically know to bury these in our everyday dealings. Shrouded within the relative anonymity of social media platforms, some amongst us elect to disregard social norms, deciding instead to express our hidden bigotry, rage and pain, minimising our fear and self-loathing by choosing instead to transfer our angst to others to whom

we have little or no emotional attachment. Transferring fears and hatred to another may be just the therapy that is needed to minimise one’s own in agony and inadequacies. Sadly social platforms, I am afraid, allow for the wholesale abandonment of emotions that one would usually experience when inflicting strife upon another. Besides the clinically insane, I know of only three other human entities that conduct themselves with such abandon, namely, psychopaths, sociopaths and corporate companies, the latter of which cannot endure without the second. With the absolute disregard for others in such a phenomenally abject manner, one is left wondering if our “social networks” are, amongst other things, a fertile breeding ground for the expression of latent sociopathic tendencies to be unleashed upon unsuspecting, wellmeaning members of its populous.

W/Bay Plant & Tool Hire Services cc Walvis Bay Plant & Tool Hire Services in Walvis Bay has vacancies for

CRANE OPERATORS 4 x 20 to 60Ton The successful incumbent should conform to the following minimum Requirements: • Code C OR CE driver’s license with valid GP • Valid Crane Operator Certificate (CULMEN) • Fitness /Medical Certificate including eye-test • Minimum 3 years’ experience • Namibian Citizen • Be willing to travel out of town at times and work extended hours if required • Consistent and dependable • Sober habits • Literate in English and Afrikaans Main Responsibilities: • Safe & Efficient handling of client cargo commodities and company equipment as instructed by management • Daily & Weekly Maintenance Checks • Completion of Job Cards The Company offers: • A competitive salary commensurate to experience level • A team focused and rewarding working environment • Career development and training opportunities Written applications, including a detailed CV, certified copies of certificates and any contact references should be addressed to: The Office Administrator, PO Box 1149, Walvis Bay E-mail: Christiaan@planthire.com.na or Fax: 064 205442 Closing date for submission of applications: 20 June 2014 Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, and no documents will be returned.

Happy Second

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10 | News

Thursday, 12 June 2014

Shocking Parcel Delivered

by Formula Couriers Siglinde de Villiers “They keep lying to me. He says he is not allowed to make the decisions, but then his assistant says that he is the only one who can make decisions. This has been going on for twenty days now, and still no liability is taken for my broken parcel.” Loyde (pseudonym), a resident of Swakopmund, disclosed the above sentiment to the Namib Independent after Formula Courier Services delivered her parcel in a battered and run-down state. The parcel contained a laptop and was en route from Windhoek to Swakopmund. “It was packed in a laptop bag and placed in a smaller box which was then put into the bigger box,” Loyde* explained. “When I received the parcel, I was very unhappy. The laptop, valued at N$6700, had to be written off. I complained to the head office in Windhoek and asked them what I should do now, since this is unacceptable. That was twenty days ago. I am being kept on a line and still have no answers,” she added. A different courier company commented, “There are certain things that are unacceptable. This is one of them. The damage is considerate; something very heavy had to go

over it and it shows gross negligence on Formula Courier Services side which needs to be covered by their insurance.” According to Loyde*, Formula Courier Services say that they had to know what was in the box. Andre Havenga from Formula Courier Services said, “This is a catch 22 situation since one would like to assist the customer but as a courier company we have company policies and procedures to adhere to and global trends to align to. “There are five points every courier company adheres to,” he continued. “The commodity has to be sufficiently packed to avoid any possible damages, the parcel has to be labelled as fragile and the customer has to provide a detailed description of the goods in the parcel. The customer also has to indicate on the waybill that the goods are fragile and insurance taken out on the waybill, which was not the case in this instance,” Havenga stated. “I can understand the problem of the waybill being filled out incompletely and no insurance taken out, but is that how Formula Courier Services handle their parcels? Would it have made a difference to the damages incurred by goods in the box if I had written 'laptop' on the waybill? I think

not, and whatever was in the box would have been damaged anyway,” Loyde* exclaimed. According to another courier company, who wishes to remain anonymous, another problem is presented when describing what is in the parcel – that of theft. “As soon as expensive things like laptops or cellular phones are put on the waybill, there is a greater risk of the parcel being stolen. Thus it is not always advisable to provide an accurate description. Nevertheless, it is imperative that the parcel is marked 'fragile',” the courier company said. “Formula Courier Services latest story is that I have to write a letter where I practically demote myself, stating how poor I am just so that they can submit the claim to their insurance in order for them to pay out,” Loyde* said. Havenga refuted: “No formal claim was raised against Formula Courier Services. We merely requested that a letter be drafted explaining what happened with the laptop and the possible repercussions due to the loss of data on the hard drive.” However, Loyde* asked how she should know what happened to the laptop. “It is quite peculiar how they have cameras in every warehouse and office, except in Swakopmund where

the accident happened,” she said. Ironically, the mission statement of Formula Couriers Services state that the company is dedicated to minimise clients’ losses from the point of collection to the point of delivery. “We carry the necessary insurance and make available additional cover to help our clients offset losses,” it states. “I have not experienced Formula Courier Services helpful in any way.

During the past twenty days I had to do constant follow ups. There was never any effort from their side, only a new story every time and different lies. This experience leads me to conclude that despite the fact that Formula Courier Services claim to have insurance, any damage sustained by a parcel is completely at owner’s risk. I will definitely not be using them again,” Loyde* concluded.

News | 11

Thursday, 12 June 2014

New Management Revamps Liquorstore in Swakopmund

ErongoRed Awards Study Bursary to Kavango Student

Joseph Minginga from Rundu was the lucky one in ErongoRed’s Educational Initiative by receiving a study bursary for a degree in Electrical Engineering. Joseph is part of Erongo RED’s third group of students to receive a bursary. Others received bursaries in Law, IT

VACANCIES

Siglinde de Villiers Since March this year the Schutze Liquorstore in Swakopmund has been under new management. New management also means new interior design as well as client approach. What can clients expect? In an exclusive interview with the manager, the Namib Independent went to find out. Braam Schutte, new Manager of Schutze Liquorstore mentioned that previously they worked in the hospitality industry.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

and Electrical Engineering. “For us here at Erongo RED, we believe that education is the backbone of any economy and strive to support the Namibian nation by our contribution to alleviate the quandary of bursary obtainment,” said Erongo Red’s CEO, Robert Kahimise.

Lubrication Specialist (Pty) Ltd. is an equal opportunity employer with offices based in Walvis Bay and Windhoek. The Company is looking for a suitably experienced Marine: Sales & Technical Representative for their Walvis Bay offices to join its ranks as soon as possible.

“We wanted a change, and when the opportunity presented itself, we took it,” he said. “We learned how to work with people in the hospitality industry and want to bring that personal touch into our shop. Since we work in the shop ourselves, we go that extra mile for our customers,” Schutte said. Presently, the shop looks completely different than before. During the past three months, Schutte has transformed a corner of the shop into a braai section. “Clients that want to go on holiday no longer need to visit several shops. They can find everything here, from the wood to the meat,” Schutte said. “For this reason, we have changed our name to Schutze Liquorland and Braai Shop,” he added. The Schutze Liquorstore is ideally situated with ample parking space. “In comparison to other liquor dealers who only have specials running at the end of the month, we have specials running throughout the month,” Schutte said. According to Schutte, their greatest challenge is to deliver a good price and service to the customer. “Due to the fact that we have to import our Liquor from South Africa it is quite expensive. We have to pay import tax as well as the transport. Thus I have to constantly be on the lookout for specials at wholesalers,” Schutte explained. “Service is important but some people only look at prices,” he concluded.

Marine : Sales & Technical Representative Lubrication Specialists (Pty) Ltd

Location : Walvis Bay

Job Specification... Ÿ Customer Service & Order Fulfillment (delivery of oil to customers) Ÿ Liaison with warehouse personnel Re: Inventory replenishment and distribution. Ÿ Assist in conducting lubrication surveys (marine, mining & industrial) Ÿ

Minimum Requirements...

Ÿ National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering or higher, Marine

Engineering will be an advantage

Ÿ At least 5 years' experience in servicing the fishing industry - see

going experience will be a distinct advantage

The closing date for above position is: 24June 2014 Read more on the Website...

Ocean Liner Services a division of Manica Group Namibia (Pty) Ltd is an equal opportunity employer. The Company provides expert ships agency and husbandry services for both liner and non-liner shipping principals. Full range of husbandry services including crew transfers, repairs, and agency services. The Group is looking for a suitably qualified Ships Agent to join the ranks as soon as possible.

Ship's Agent (B5) Ocean Liner Services

Location : Walvis Bay Job Specification... Ÿ Planning and coordinating of vessel port calls efficiently Ÿ Preparing and presenting professional vessel D/A quotations and liaison with principals Ÿ Coordinating efficient cargo operations Minimum Requirements... Ÿ Grade 12 Ÿ Code 08 driver's license; valid and unendorsed Ÿ Excellent command of the English language, Spanish would be an added advantage The closing date for above position is: 17 June 2014 Read more on the Website...

Bidvest Namibia supports all efforts to conserve the environment and uses an online recruitment service to reduce its carbon footprint. This service enables you to view the latest vacancies within the Bidvest Namiba Group and to register your CV for any other future positions. All applications must be done online at:

http://bidvestnamibia.pnet.com.na

Bidvest Namibia Limited is a proudly Namibian company, listed on the Namibian Stock Exchange and is engaged in fisheries, food distribution, commercial trade, freight management and service industries. Bidvest Namibia believes in empowering people, building relationships and improving lives. We turn ordinary companies into extraordinary performers, delivering strong and consistent shareholder returns in the process. But most importantly, we understand that people create wealth, and that companies only report it.

12 | It Happened to Me!

Thursday, 12 June 2014

It Happened to ME!

Persecuted for Sexual Preference Tanya Calitz

At the tender age of eleven, Lynne* first realised that she might not exactly fall in line with society’s idea of love, marriage, and gender relationships when her father hired a female jockey to work horses on the farm, and Lynne developed more than ‘normal’ feelings towards her. That very first innocent encounter would soon be shattered by the cruel certainty of school bullies and ignorant authority figures. Primary school was fine, and no significant bullying took place over Lynne’s sexual orientation, until she left the local government school to attend a Private Christian School. For the next few years Lynne would call the school's all-girls boarding house, home. “I befriended a girl named Linda* and we became very close. One day I made the mistake of confessing to her that I had more than just feelings of friendship for her. She did not react badly, or anything, but unfortunately told her homophobic boyfriend, who then told the whole school that I am

a dyke,” Lynne shared her story with the Namib Independent this week. After the confession that nearly destroyed her life, Lynne’s hell started. “That same week the news broke that I had feelings for my friend Linda, heaps of the school boys, especially the jocks, sent me the most horrendous text messages while I was attending a bible study meeting. They called me terrible names, threatening to harm and kill me if I do not stay away from their girlfriends and other girls. The one message that stood out was from a boy who called me diseased.” Lynne tried to deny the allegations, but to no avail. Their minds were made up, and their aim was clear. After that week of bullying and name calling, the ordeal proved too much for Lynne to bear, seeing that she herself was not even sure about her own sexuality, in fact, at that stage she had not even as much as kissed a girl. “My parents had to leave home that coming weekend and entrusted the household to me. I distinctly remember that weekend, because it was the first time they had left all the

responsibilities of the farm to me.” Lynne said that she felt so depressed, that her life was a waste, and that there was no one that she could talk to or who would understand, and judging by the last incident, it seemed safer to keep these kinds of feelings to herself. Feeling at her lowest, Lynne told the paper that she took all the pills and tablets that she could find in the house, and swallowed them. “I just wanted to die, and make all the pain go away,” she explained. Fortunately, her first attempt at ending her life failed. “I only became terribly ill. I was vomiting non-stop and experiencing dreadful pain as my body tried to rid itself of the poisons.” Back at school and the boarding house that Monday, things carried on as if the weekend never happened. To cope with the prejudice and constant blows by other pupils and teachers, Lynne started selfmutilating, mostly inflicting cuts, wounds and burns to herself, hoping that somehow the physical pain could devour the emotional trauma she was experiencing. Only by this stage the

biggest bully of them all appeared on the scene, the boarding house matron. “This woman was the cause of most of my suffering during my stay at the boarding house,” Lynne said. Soon the matron, instead of killing the fires, added fuel to the situation by granting the rumours. “She ran to the school principal with the rumours that I was gay, and soon all the girls in the boarding house were summoned to the foyer. I could not believe the words spoken by that b***h that day. She said that it has come to their attention that someone is living in sin through her gayness, and that this nonsense should stop, therefore they have decided to bring in the rule that the girls are not allowed to touch each other anymore, hold hands, sit on each other’s beds or stand too close to one another. Like it was some kind of disease. I could not turn to my mother, because she thought that by performing an exorcism I could be cured.” After this the matron’s real bullying towards Lynne started. “My day would start with the matron pulling my pillow from under my head, screaming and shouting for me to get up, and insulting me by saying what a bad example I was, what a sinner I was, or that I was a rebel, incoherent, I would kill my mother before her time and anything to point out that she disapproved of me and that I did not belong. No matter what went wrong, whether it was cigarette smoking, theft, fighting; I was blamed or somehow linked.” Lynne said that the matron would call on a hostel meeting almost every a week, preaching how bad it was to be gay, how sinful it is, and that if one is gay that means going straight to hell. “All this went down, whilst I was not

even sure about my sexuality,” Lynne explained. “Then the rumours started that I was staring at the other girls in the bathrooms and touching them inappropriately. This of course only gave the matron more reason to pick on me and belittle me wherever the opportunity presented itself. Once the rumours started wearing off, the other students targeted my best friend, questioning her about my sexuality, teased her for being my friend, and even questioned our relationship.” Lynne said she was so paranoid and traumatised that she made sure that she was never in the cloakrooms when the girls were there. She would only shower or use the bathrooms at odd hours to avoid anyone. One day, after one accusation after the other, the school principal called Lynne in front of the teacher’s panel, questioning her about these rumours and telling her that it might be best for her and everyone else if she left the school, because she was not fit to be in a Christian school. All these incidents piled on top of each other brought on several more failed attempts at suicide. “I had no support from my parents, because they shared the same sentiments.” For three years this abuse continued, until Lynne eventually left the hostel and moved into a flat where her older sister lived. This gave her the opportunity to realise that she wanted nothing more than to leave her town and make something of her life, and in order to do that she had to work on her grades. She started doing well and eventually made things just bearable enough to survive school. “I am so glad I survived it, and was able to move on.”

Worldwide News | 13

Thursday, 12 June 2014

W orldwide Harvard Researchers Develop Biodegradable

Plastic from Shrimp Shells Harvard University Wyss Institute researchers have recently developed an innovative material, which may significantly help us prevent further plastic pollution. They have successfully manufactured a completely biodegradable plastic using the shells of shrimp and other crustaceans. Our reliance on plastic is one of our biggest environmental issues. Plastic bags, bottles, packaging and more can take centuries to break down, and accumulate by the ton in oceans and landfills worldwide. Plastic is usually made from petroleum, the drilling of which also causes significant harm to our Earth. Chitosan, a component of crustacean shells and insect bodies, is a variety of chitin, which is the second-most prevalent organic compound on our planet. As researcher Javier Fernandez explained to CBS News, “copepods alone… produce a billion tons of chitin per year. In other words, in the last twelve months they have

produced the same amount of chitin than all the plastic we have produced since 2009.” The shells from the millions of pounds of shrimp consumed worldwide are usually either thrown away or used in fertilisers. Instead, they could be, as the Harvard researchers have demonstrated, used to make a wide array of plastic items, from garbage bags to diapers to cell phone casings. The material has been named “shrilk,” and is composed of chitosan, coated with beeswax to make it waterproof. The truly remarkable thing about shrilk, besides the fact that it can biodegrade completely in just a few weeks, is that it returns nutrients into the soil as it biodegrades. The Harvard researchers have experimented with this by growing plants, including a California black eyed pea plant, in soil enriched with the decomposed chitosan bio-plastic. They found that new plant growth thrived in the soil. The researchers also say that manufacturing the shrilk takes a very

small environmental toll compared to manufacturing other plastics. Donald E. Ingber, director of the Wyss Institute, says, “there is an urgent need in many industries for sustainable materials that can be mass produced. Our scalable manufacturing method shows that chitosan, which is readily available and inexpensive, can serve as a viable bioplastic that could potentially be used instead of conventional plastics for numerous industrial applications.” The impact of the method used to collect the chitosan – harvesting creatures for their shells would be very damaging to the environment, not to mention cruel – needs to be carefully considered. If we were able to use the shells from crustaceans already consumed, shrilk could be an exciting alternative indeed. Without petroleum plastics polluting our environment, our world’s future would look a bit brighter. Source: http://www. thealternativedaily.com/

Walvis Bay: 064 20 9919 | Swakopmund: 064 40 4800

14 | Motoring

Thursday, 12 June 2014

MOTORING

Texting & Driving Causes

More Accidents Than Drinking Drivers who use a mobile at the wheel should be given an automatic ban, campaigners said – after research showed it slows reactions more than drink or drugs. A study found that sending a text message delays reaction times by 37 percent. By comparison, using cannabis slows it by 21 percent, and drinking to the legal limit by 13 percent. Speaking on a handheld telephone remains the most dangerous, delaying reaction by 46 percent, the Transport Research Laboratory found. Using a mobile carries a £100 (R1800) fine in the UK and three penalty points. But Robert Goodwill, the road safety minister, said he was considering making a case to the Ministry of Justice for imposing tougher punishments, adding: “I will see if we need to change the penalties.”

He also called on police to increase their action on the menace. He said: “The best deterrent for this kind of dangerous behaviour is the certainty of being detected.” Campaigners – including the Alliance of British Drivers – are now calling for the penalty to be raised to match the drinkdriving punishment, which is an automatic year’s ban and a fine. Using a mobile at the wheel has been illegal for a decade, with the fine initially standing at £30. In 2007 the punishment was increased to three penalty points and a £60 fine, and last year it went up to £100, with a possible £1000 (R18 000) on conviction in court. Smartphones are now owned by nearly three-quarters of adults, with emails, social networking and maps all adding to the temptation to

Motoring | 15

Thursday, 12 June 2014

use them. Department for Transport figures show that a record 378 accidents involving a mobile phone were reported in 2012, causing 548 injuries and 17 deaths. But, conversely, there has been a reduction in the number of drivers caught for the offence – which the AA believes is down to a 20 percent reduction in dedicated traffic police officers over the last decade. Between May 2012 and August 2013 the number of drivers with points on their licence for using a mobile phone fell by 14 percent, from 677 500 to 583 700. Edmund King, president of the AA, told the Sunday Times: “It hasn’t been a priority. We need to send out a warning to drivers that the police forces will have a dedicated crackdown. They need to pull over every single driver seen with a phone.” A spokesman for the Department of Transport said they are determined to “crack down” on people using a phone at the wheel, and are monitoring the effectiveness of the £100 fine. Also watch this great anti-texting while driving campaign video on YouTube by Volkswagen - http:// www.viralnova.com/ movie-theater-shock/ Source: http://www.iol. co.za/motoring

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The best knows no alternative. The all new C-Class. Launching June 2014. Place your orders now. Walvis Bay/Swakopmund/Henties Bay - Passenger & Commercial Vehicles Tel: +264 64 203 792 | Email: mzcoastal@metjeziegler.com *Terms & Conditions Apply. Pictures may differ from actual stock.

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