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Issue 144 - Thurs, 16 April 2015 to Wed, 22 Apr 2015
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Security threat at Swakopmund Airfield
I just do not understand why anyone would steal my belongings from an accident scene. "
Aircraft operators suffer continued break-ins.
Mary Ankongo on her traumatic accident.
See Page 5
Expected load-shedding and price hikes - Nampower
See Page 7
Car crash victim robbed at scene
Well-known Walvis Bay personality, Mary Ankongo (pictured on the left)
Julia Hango
Photo for illustration purposes only: source Wikipedia
Mary Ankongo, founder of Face of Namibia, was involved in a traumatic accident during the Easter weekend. After a quarrel with a loved one earlier the day, she was emotional and wanted to drive back home to Walvis Bay. She was in a hurry to get home before dark. "I was not concentrating on the road. Just before 16h00, 40 kilometres before Otjiwarongo, I found myself driving in the
Coastal corruption highest in country Jade McClune The findings of a survey of 580 companies in Namibia released this week shows that corruption is more rife in the Erongo than in the
rest of the country. Suspicions about high-level corruption in the region were confirmed by a study released on Tuesday by the World Bank Group, which showed that companies in the
Erongo region were far more likely to be subjected to demands for bribes from public officials than any other part of the country. The report, which is based on an in-depth survey of 580 firms
throughout the country, reveals that 62.1% of companies at the coast said they “expected to give gifts to secure a government contract”. In Windhoek the figure was 7.1% and at Oshakati 7.3%.
wrong lane at high speed. I swerved the car back into my lane but it was too late. My car rolled off the road onto the gravel road and spun around three times before it landed upside down. I crawled out of the car. It was smoking and the petrol started to leak. I was very confused. There were over 20 people standing around the scene. Some men came Continued on Page 3 More than 21% of businesses in Walvis Bay and Swakopmund said they had received at least one request for a bribe (compared to 7.2% in Windhoek and 1.4% in Oshakati). At least 13% of firms surveyed said they were “expected to give a gift” when meeting tax officials. More than a quarter of business respondents (27%) said that they paid gifts to get a construction permit in Walvis and Swakopmund. Businesses in the central and northern regions were however far more likely to suffer losses from low-level theft and vandalism, although 37% of coastal companies identified “theft, crime and disorder” as a problem. Continued on Page 3
Continued on Page 3
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Thursday, 16 April 2015
Red my lips please Dear editor, Firstly I would like to congratulate the Namib Independent on continually bringing us the unexpected. My family loves the paper because it is like a lucky packet, you never know what you are going to get but are always happy with the toy. I would also like to congratulate you on the Red My Lips campaign you ran on the front page last week. I never thought someone could get so many men to wear lipstick and it just shows how many men stand against violence against woman. The issue is so bad in Namibia and here on the coast and it takes something totally unique to bring
a fresh perspective and focus on matter. The Red my lips is totally unexpected and in my opinion very effective. Everyone is talking about it. I follow your Facebook pages and I saw that some people were very negative about it but please take no notice of these few closed minded people. It was brave of the men to allow themselves to be put on the front page with lipstick and a few closed minded people cannot see that it is for a very good cause then they must just be ignored anyway. Keep up the good work and the weekly surprises. Marie Kotze
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News
Thursday, 16 April 2015
3
Coastal corruption highest in country Continued from Page 1
Car crash victim robbed at scene Continued from Page 1 running towards me and I remember them carrying me away from the car,” said Mary. She sustained only minor bruises. She asked a bystander for a lift to Walvis Bay but then began to feel intense pain. The man drove her to the Otjiwarongo hospital. "At the hospital I could not find any of my belongings. My family told me they only found a few things. The rest of my belongings were all gone; I lost my expensive clothes, phone, wallet, all my money and my identification documents. I just do not understand why anyone would steal my belongings from an accident scene," she said. She does not know who to blame for her stolen
I lost my expensive clothes, phone, wallet, all my money and my identification documents. belongings but is sure that people at the scene must have stolen her valuables. She is pleading with anyone who found it to please drop the identification documents off at any police station. She says she is doing well after the accident and feels very lucky to have made it out of the car safely.
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The World Bank Enterprise Survey found that the three top constraints to doing business in Namibia are lack of access to financing (47.8%), lack of access to land (19.7%) and corruption (17.9%). On a related note, Governor Clemens Mutjavikua said last week that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) looks like a toothless bulldog that is not doing enough to curb corruption. He said investigators should go for the “big guns” and that the ACC is in danger of losing the trust of the public, because it focuses only on prosecuting ordinary citizens (“small fish”), while ignoring
high-profile cases of corruption. The Erongo branch of the ACC dealt with 75 cases, resulting in 20 prosecutions since January 2014, but the agency faces mounting public suspicion that the ACC is dragging its feet on high-profile investigations.
We should push the ACC to take a closer look at highprofile corruption.
“The ACC should really get to the big guns. Their target remains very low. We should push the ACC to take a closer look at high-profile corruption. The nation wants to see such arrests,” he reportedly said. Mutjavikua also expressed frustration that the ACC takes so long to conclude cases. Nobody at the regional branch of the ACC was available to respond to questions on Wednesday. All questions were referred to the headquarters in Windhoek, but predictably, the spokesperson could not be reached for comment.
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News
Thursday, 16 April 2015
NABTA slams
Council's taxi rank ultimatum Donna Collins Vespa Muunda, President of the Namibian Bus and Taxi Association (NABTA), has slammed the 30 day ultimatum issued by the Swakopmund Town Council, saying "we will not be threatened". Muunda responded to a report in Namib Independent last week regarding Council's decision to terminate NABTA’s managing contract unless they improve their running of the large Mondesa taxi rank within 30 days. "We inherited a white elephant and a taxi rank with many challenges," Muunda said. They only took over the reins four months ago, which is hardly time enough to solve all the problems, he explained. He said that the Municipality have been very hasty with their ultimatum and that plans have been on the table to iron out problems at the taxi rank. A meeting between the two parties was scheduled for next week. "The Mondessa Taxi rank has changed hands many times and we are the fourth owners," Muunda said. "We took over a mess. There was no proper management
structure before us, which was obvious by the bad condition it was in. "We want to make improvements but it needs a proper working strategy, " said Muunda, “but NABTA is not to blame for the condition and state of affairs of the taxi rank, because when it was handed over to us, we found a mountain of sins, with no running water, the car wash vandalised, ablution facilities broken down and total disorder.
We will make sure by the end of the day that all taxi operators are registered and legitimate. "NABTA will continue with the taxi rank according to our three year agreement and we want to standardise this facility, work on making improvements and make sure by the end of the day that all taxi operators are registered and legitimate."
NABTA want to continue running the Mondesa Taxi rank despite the 30 day ultimatum from Swakopmund Town Council
He said there are more than 60 illegal taxis operating between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, and that these bad eggs must be weeded out. This can only be done with the assistance of the Traffic and Police departments. "We want to get illegal operators off the road.” The management of the Taxi Rank was awarded to NABTA in March 2014, in line with the directive from the Ministry of Regional and Local Government Housing at a rental price of N$1 000. NABTA was expected to ensure the smooth operation at the taxi rank as well as the car wash facility. In the event that the three year contract is cancelled, the local taxis and bus owners and operators will be requested to submit their management plan for the running of the Mondesa Taxi Rank in the future.
Vespa Muunda (President NABTA)
The Board, Management and entire staff members
Erongo RED also wishes to congratulate Hon. Derek
of Erongo RED would like to congratulate Hon. Obeth
Klazen for his appointment as Deputy Minister of Urban
Kandjoze for his appointment as Minister of Mines and
and Rural Development and Hon. Priscila Kavita for her
Energy and Hon. Sophia Shaningwa for her appointment
appointment as member of parliament. We are proud to
as Minister of Urban and Rural Development. Erongo RED
have two tested cadres from the mighty Erongo region in
is looking forward to cooperating and partnering with all
the parliament.
government institutions on key development matters.
red
power to the people
Thursday, 16 April 2015
News
5
Fly-In operators fear security threat at Swakop Airfield Donna Collins
The Swakopmund aviation industry, in particular commercial operators, have aired their grievances about the Municipality owned airfield, saying that their landing fees are too high and that the general security and upkeep of the airport is not up to standard. A few pilots, who for professional reasons prefer to remain anonymous, told Namib Independent that the aviation industry is being strangled by the price of fuel, hanger levies which have doubled, and high landing fees. They mentioned that 80% of aircrafts are commercially owned scenic and charter flights and 20% are privately owned. The main gripe is lack the of proper security. Growing informal settlements bordering the airfield have resulted in an alarming increase in theft. Six hangers have been broken
into, including the Scenic Air hangers that were targeted over the Easter weekend. "We had cases where fuel has been stolen, but the major concern is protecting our aircraft from being vandalised," said one of the operators, referring to a recent incident at Sesfontein airfield when a light aircraft's windscreen was smashed and broken into costing excessive amounts in damages to repair. "Aircraft are expensive and to replace even the smallest part can run into huge amounts," he added. "There is increased agitation amongst aircraft owners and operators utilising the airport facilities who fear the worst, because vandalism to an aircraft could also jeopardise safety, so we are all on edge fearing the worst at any time. "With the boom system not operating, anyone can drive or walk in and out and break-ins are becoming a worry. We are forced to take
Fly-in operators and the aviation sector are fearful of the spate of hanger break-ins at the Swakopmund airfield. They appealed to the Municipality to do something about it.
should take their own security precautions if they feel at risk of being broken into." As far as the upgrading of the airfield, the Municipality graded the airstrip and runway last month and claims everything is kept in good running order with the grounds regularly cleaned up. Scenic Air flights and charters, one of the biggest operators at the coast, confirmed that they had two breakins to their hangers recently. They have a fleet of four Cessna 210 light aircrafts and rent two hangers from the Municipality. Their office at the airfield linked to one of the hangers was also ransacked. A spokesperson from Scenic air said that they are installing heavy duty locks as well as doubling up their security protection. "Security is the biggest concern at the airport but in general I see no problems with the running of the airport,"
precautions to protect our aircraft," he said. A standard Cessna 210 aircraft can cost upwards of N$800 000. Despite landing fees of N$11 500 an aircraft plus N$7 300 per passenger, the planes are still landing on a dirt runway and parking on a gravel apron which causes undercarriage damage from flying stones. The Swakopmund airfield still operates without an air traffic controller and does not meet with criteria of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), operators claimed. Despite it being a hub of activity, there is not a coffee lounge or even a curio shop for tourists. People mostly make use of the facilities at the Swakopmund Skydiving Club. The airfield is especially busy in peak season with between 15 and 20 take-offs and landings daily. A spokesperson from the Swakopmund Municipality said that they do employ security guards to patrol the terminal building and the outside area, but feels that the hanger owners should be responsible for their own property. "You cannot hold the Municipality responsible for theft of your property and it is best that aircraft owners
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News
Thursday, 16 April 2015
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red
power to the people
The Board, Management and entire staff members of Erongo RED would like to congratulate His Excellency, Dr. Hage Geingob, for taking over leadership to lead Namibia to an era of growth and prosperity.
News
Thursday, 16 April 2015
7
Expected load-shedding and price hikes - Nampower Jade McClune Electricity prices in Namibia will continue to rise by no less than 13% per year over the next five to six years, Nampower CEO Paulinus Shilamba said on Monday. However, if recent trends are anything to go by, Erongo Customers may be spared the full impact of the increases. It was said that Nampower has consistently sought above-inflation increases over the past two decades and implemented a 15%
increase across the board last year. Although residents in the Erongo region have been spared the full impact of the Nampower and ECB rate hikes over the last two years, due to Erongo Red on both occasion absorbing 2% of the regulators increases, passing this saving onto local consumers. Erongo Red spokesperson Benjamin Nangombe said in a statement that the regional power distributor has been able to absorb some of the increase over the past two years. But cannot confirm
when Nampower’s latest price hike will be approved by the Electricity Control. Shilamba said, in spite of existing challenges, “Namibia does not foresee an imminent threat to its power supply security, at least not before August 2016 when enormous strain will be placed on the system, and when an additional generation capacity of at least 250MW will be needed to ensure security of supply for the country”. Although the country has not yet been hard-hit by the ongoing energy crisis plaguing South Africa, Nampower expects Namibia to experience power blackouts by August 2016, or ‘load-shedding’ as it is euphemistically known in the industry. Nampower’s power supply agreement with Eskom in South Africa, which currently supplies around 60% of Namibia’s energy requirement, will expire in 2016. To add to its concerns, lower
Deloitte opens new office in Walvis Bay Sharon Brooks
The who’s who of the Walvis Bay business community came together last week to witness the mayor, councillor Uilika Nambahu, inaugurate the opening of the Walvis Bay office of Deloitte. The opening of the new office was heralded as an indication that Walvis Bay is set to become an economic player in Southern Africa and the world. The professional services provider, which is currently ranked as the largest professional services firm in the world, has been operating in Namibia since 1959 and is a truly Namibian partnership. The firm is responsible for training 30% of all chartered accountants in Namibia, has trained 40% of black Namibian chartered accountants over the years and has provided N$10 million to Namibians in the form of bursaries. The glitzy event at their new offices on Sam Nujoma Drive was attended by a host of big business men and women as well as a few dignitaries. The mayor remarked that the opening of the Walvis Bay office is an indication that the firm has recognised the continuing economic growth of Walvis Bay, as the harbour town sits on the precipice of becoming a major logistical and economical hub in Southern Africa. During her address the councillor applauded
Deloitte for their continuous investment in the Namibian people, specifically the firm’s efforts to promote the entrance of previously disadvantaged Namibians into the profession. She said this investment by Deloitte is a clear indication of the firm’s commitment to the continuing economic growth of the town. Nambahu urged the private sector to co-operate with government to build a better Namibia for everyone. She said the private sector should “ensure that employment figures reflect the demographics of the country”. The mayor went on to say Deloitte’s
said the commercial agreement with Xaris Energy and the financiers, led by Standard Bank, would be concluded by mid-2015. The contract would include the construction of the open cycle 300MW gas turbine plant, floating storage, regasification and pipeline infrastructure The plant is based on a ‘modular generation concept’. It is understood that initially six modules of 50MW each will be used to produce 300MW, with the possibility of further expansion. Natural gas will be the main fuel source, but the plant will be able to use diesel until the supply of gas is secured. Xaris Energy’s chairperson Boni Paulino said last year that approximately 900,000m³ natural gas would be used yearly to supply base-load energy. This would be brought in liquefied form to the Walvis Bay north port currently under construction and piped to the plant.
output is expected from the Ruacana power station “due to lower water levels and general higher economic growth,” Shilamba reportedly said. In November 2014 Silamba indicated that NamPower would spend N$2.4 billion on electricity imports in 2015, with the cost rising to an estimated N$10 billion over the next four years. Shalimba did bring attention to the fact that Nampower and Xaris Energy have reached an agreement to go ahead with setting up a 250 megawatt (MW) gas power plant near Walvis Bay at the cost of some N$7.7 billion, which should be operational by August 2016. The power plant, which The Namib Independent have reported extensively upon, will be set up 2.5km outside Walvis Bay in the direction of the airport. NamPower is expected to take a 30 per cent stake in the power plant. Shilamba
employment practices are a step in the right direction. “I am very proud and look forward to walking the path with them,” she said. The office will be headed by associate director Arlington Matenda and will initially employ seven staff, though the company hopes to have a resident partner at the office in the near future. With the opening of the new office Deloitte hopes to provide a better service to their existing clients and to lure new clients with high quality professional services such as auditing, financial consultancy as well as tax and risk advisory services.
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Thursday, 16 April 2015
National Maths Congress updates education system Donna Collins
mathematics teacher education at the Windhoek College of Education for more than 20 years. Dr Craig Pournara, senior Lecturer at the Witwatersrand University School of Education, who completed his doctorate in mathematics teacher education in 2013, is also invited. They will be joined by Aarnout Brombacher who has been a consultant for mathematics education in many African countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, Egypt and Namibia. Connie Sekelton, author of mathematics textbooks for all levels, will also participate. Organiser Courtney-Clarke told Namib Independent that the congress is funded by private sector sponsors. It aims to inspire and motivate mathematics teachers and expose them to new insights. She was principal of Namib High School for ten years, and now shares her passion for mathematics after 35 years of teaching it. She is co-author of text books for Grade 10 to 12 learners. Courtney Clark said feedback from previous delegates is full of praise and positive reviews. Motivating learners results in higher grades and pass rates. She pointed out that the delegates will include classroom teachers from primary and secondary schools as well as university and college lecturers and officials from the Ministry of Education. Langer Heinrich Uranium, the sponsor for the last five years, have contributed N$250 000 towards the 2015 Congress. Walvis Bay Salt Holdings and the Pupkewitz Foundation have been loyal supporters since its inception. The Swakopmund Town Council has also made regular donations.
Swakopmund will once again host the National Mathematics Congress. The annual event, where mathematics educators share knowledge and refresh the best teaching practices, celebrates its 10th anniversary and will be held at Namib High School from 27 to 29 April. The theme of the 2015 National Mathematics Congress is "Embracing Quality Mathematics Teaching and Learning", and for the first time teachers from every region in Namibia will be present to share their own successes and experiences in the classroom. The Ministry of Education and organiser Margret Courtney-Clarke (Director Orison Educational Services), along with other stakeholders have, for the last decade, contributed to this essential but lacking area in the education system. The Ministry appreciates the valuable contribution of this event that stimulates professional growth and development of Namibia's mathematics teachers. The Ministry once again supports the attendance of selected delegates from all regions and educational institutions. Around 300 delegates are expected to converge on the three day Congress which acknowledges teaching as a practiced profession and encourages broader networking of mathematics educators to interact at all levels. A group of mathematical boffins and guest presenters from Namibia and South Africa are invited speakers. They include Barbara Peters, a lecturer for junior primary mathematics at the UNAM, Khomasdal Campus, who has been involved in pre-service
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Ohlthaver List roadshow hits coast Juliana Hango
Ohlthaver & List (O&L) Group of Companies kicked off its annual Mwenyopaleka Road Show in Walvis Bay this week with a number of theatre performances and prizes. Mwenyopaleka is an Oshiwambo word meaning “revitalisation”, but it can also be used as a synonym for “rebirth”. Mwenyopaleka is a long-term programme that was launched in 2004, with the objective to instil the Group’s purpose, values and vision along with the associated behaviours in the hearts and minds of employees. A total of 14 road show programmes are hosted each year in all the major towns in which the Group has a business presence. The programme involves various activities such as industrial theatre, songs, dance and games and this year also a comedic element and bigger prizes. Sonja Thieme, Group manager for the employee engagement, said: "O&L will be turning 100 years in
four years and in order to enhance our drive on the journey towards Vision 2019, we will rely on the power of employee engagement at both strategic and on-the-ground levels. Employee Engagement will develop the personal connection to our vision, purpose and values - leverage the corporate brand to build belonging and ambassadorship and create a breakthrough environment for all O&L employees. "She added that O&L plans to be the employer of choice by creating a stable future for its employees and creating 4 000 more jobs in the next four years as well as having a 20% decrease in their carbon footprint.” The road show will focus on how to be goal orientated and HIV/Aids education. The HIV/Aids education is presented in a strong and emotional manner that speaks to the heart and mind of every staff member. It is presented in English, Afrikaans and Oshiwambo. Comical and dramatic, yet educational and informative.
News
Thursday, 16 April 2015
Brazil eyes new trade route with Namport Donna Collins The Port of Walvis Bay has earned the highest number of views of their website among all international harbours. This is the case for two years running, according to Lloyd’s List, a worldwide register for international shipping companies. Based on this, Walvis Bay could become an alternative corridor for Brazil, which is ranked as the world's 7th wealthiest economy. This was revealed last week after the Walvis Bay Corridor Group (WBCG), together with Namport, attended the 21st Intermodal South America Expo, which is the second biggest logistics expo in the world. Walvis Bay provides the shortest link to connect the massive Brazilian economy to the Southern African market. It serves as a very important trade corridor for Southern Africa as an emerging market. Products currently moving on this trade route via Walvis Bay from Brazil to Southern Africa include chicken, meat, furniture, consumables and construction materials. The Intermodal South America Expo provided a very important platform for the WBCG to be
introduced to over 48 000 visitors and 600 exhibitors from 50 countries looking for new logistics solutions between South America and Southern Africa. With a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of US$2 245 trillion in 2013, Brazil is also the largest country in area and population in Latin America and the Caribbean. With close to 200 million people, its continuous internal growth is demanding investments in areas such as urban and social development as well as transport infrastructure. Brazil has well-developed industries in sectors such as agriculture, mining, manufacturing and service. The main industries are textiles, automobiles, ships, airplanes, food and chemistry. It is the world's biggest producer of sugar cane and coffee, and also an exporter of soya beans, cocoa and orange juice. Brazil is also one of the leading hydroelectric power producers of the world. The WBCG set up a branch office in Sao Paulo in 2012 and since then has started to explore and develop the trade route as an alternative for imports and exports between South America and Southern Africa.
9
Pictured here with some customers at the 21st Intermodal South America in Brazil last week are Johny Smith, CEO of the WBCG together with Elias Mwenyo (orange shirt), Namport’s Manager for Sales and Services and the WBCG’s Business Development Manager for Brazil, Ricardo Latkani (right).
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10
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Thursday, 16 April 2015
Amazing Race to air special Namibian episode featuring Walvis, Swakop and Spitzkoppe Sharon Brooks The Amazing Race contestants were in Namibia in November last year, filming at various locations at the coast. The special two-part episode will be aired in America this Friday. The Amazing Race is a reality show in which eleven couples race each other around the world. The contestants travel 56 000 km through five continents and eight countries including Japan,
Thailand, Monaco and Germany as they compete for the US$1 million grand prize. During their time in Namibia the contestants were taken to Erindi Private Game Reserve, Spitzkoppe, Goanikontes and the Matterhorn dune between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund to perform various tasks as they raced each other for that grand prize. The cast includes dating Olympic medallists Aly Dudek and Steven Langton, along with New Kids on the Block member Jonathan Knight teamed up with his boyfriend, Harley Rodriguez. Filming took place between 26 and 29 November last year. The cast and crew managed to film the two-part episode without drawing very much attention to themselves, as very few people were aware that the cast was
in Namibia at all. The show is in its 26th season, and this is the second time contestants have made their way to Namibia for filming. In season two, contestants raced around Swakopmund, went sand boarding and visited Spitzkoppe before heading back to Windhoek and moving onto Thailand. The Namibian leg of the competition features many quintessentially Namibian elements. The contestants try out sand boarding on our infamous dunes and are required to chase zebras. In one segment they are tasked with preparing a feast for the African wildlife, and wild dogs can be seen enjoying the fruits of their labour. The episodes that will be aired on Friday are named “Back in Business” and “Look at Those Guns” leaving many speculating as to what the content may be.
Inspirational coastal women’s football team Juliana Hango
Namib Daughters, a feminist women’s football team based in Swakopmund, is the brainchild of Florence !Khaxas, Manager of the team and the chairperson of the Young Feminists movement of Namibia.
I hope some of the girls will go on further to start their own women's football teams. The all woman's team was created to promote active participation of young women in sports leadership. “Sports in general are male
dominated; we want to mentor and inspire young women to take up leadership roles in sports in Namibia. The young players have so much potential to progress into the national team one day; hopefully very soon. We see future coaches, and referees and I hope some of the girls will go on further to start their own women's football teams in the rest of the country,” said !Khaxas. According to the coach, Memory Hansen, the team started in February this year. So far they have played four big games where they came out the overall winners, walking away with 53 goals for them and only 8 against the team. On Saturday Namib Daughters won 6-1 in their game against Walvis Bay Maxulili FC, qualifying for the ladies 7-a-side football tournament organized by the Swakopmund Football Club at the SFC stadium on 23 May 2015.
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News
Thursday, 16 April 2015
Pop-up Art Exhibition inspires locals
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It seems to me that we all look at Nature too much, and live with her too little. Oscar Wilde
red
power to the people
POWER OUTAGE Sharon Brooks Residents were treated to a bit of culture in Walvis Bay last week Thursday when Erna van der Merwe (23) hosted a pop-up art exhibition of her photography at Rojo Café and Bistro. A large crowd dressed up to view 23 thoughtprovoking images featuring the human body, artistically arranged in the space for one night only. The black-and-white photos created quite a stir as people were presented with images of the human body as they had never seen it before. The theme for the series is “Abstract Black and White Nudes” and abstract it is indeed. People could be seen staring at the images as they tried to figure out what they were looking at, only to finally realise that it was an image of an arm or leg. Erna graduated from the Cape Town School of Photography in 2013 and she photographed some of her friends for the series as part of her studies.
She said she has always had a fascination with the human body; she finds the subject both simple and elegant. Her captivation with the body stems from the fact that she used to be chubby, and as she started to slim down, the change she could see in her body amazed her. Though the images on display were clearly photographs of the naked human form, the pictures are a tasteful celebration of the beauty and grace of the body. Many viewers were heard to say that the images were both unusual and thought-provoking. Erna had been planning the exhibition for a few months and with the help of Josmar Namibia, Ronell Pretorius and Rojo Café and Bistro, the event was a fantastic success. Erna said the evening went far better than she expected; everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and six photographs were sold. She hopes to host another pop-up exhibition in the future, as many of the people present expressed a desire to have events like this more often.
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EMERGENCY POWER OUTAGE NOTIFICATION TO KUISEBMUND AND NARRAVILLE Notice is hereby given that the electricity supply will be interrupted on the following date: DATE: 18 April 2015 DAY: Saturday TIME: 07:00 - 19:00 The power outage will affect the power supply to all customers in: • Kuisebmund • Narraville • TN Mobile / Telecom • MTC The reason for the power outage is to replace damaged cable. Erongo RED regrets any inconvenience that 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 ABOVE MENTIONED PERIOD. Issued by: Public Relations Division Benjamin Nangombe Tel: +264 64 214600
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Thursday, 16 April 2015
M+Z, Spar, FNB & M&M Signs take the Red My Lips challenge A number of local businesses have taken up the Red My Lips Challenge this week. Teams from M+Z Motors, M&M Signs, Spar and FNB donned red lipstick in support of the campaign which aims to raise awareness of sexual violence around the world through the use of red lipstick as a sign of support for the cause.
News
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We challenge other coastal companies to send us photos of male employees proudly wearing red lipstick to show that they condemn sexual violence in all its forms. Email your photos to info@namibindependent. com.na and show your solidarity for our coastal ladies!
The team from M+Z Motors challenges all other motor dealers on the coast to take the challenge.
The team from Spar challenges all other supermarkets on the coast to take the challenge.
The team from M&M Signs challenges all other signage companies on the coast to take the challenge.
The team from FNB Walvis challenges all other banks on the coast to take the challenge.
To take up the challenge set up by this week's companies call the Namib Independent on 064-200497 or email your group photos together with the details of your teams challenge to info@namibindependent.com.na
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Worldwide
Thursday, 16 April 2015
Man shoots mother -in-law after bullet bounces off armadillo
Worldwide Man held on bail after punching toddler in the face. Whittington is then seen yanking him up by one arm before handing him off to a woman. The woman then walks out of the store with the boy in tow. KERO-TV reported that a viewer, Chris Danaher, contacted the station after store employees posted the video online. The video quickly spread as police began the search for Whittington leading to his arrest. “His wife or girlfriend or whatever is clearly pregnant,” Danaher said of the woman seen in the video. “And she had no regard for it. She picked up her son and left the store.” According to the Daily News, there is also security footage showing Wittington grabbing the boy by one leg and “apparently yelling in his face” while holding him in the air by one leg. “That was horrible, man, the worst thing I have ever seen,” said the
A 23-year-old California man was arrested and held on $1 million bail after a video of him punching a young boy to the ground gained attention online, the New York Daily News reported. Authorities charged Justin Whittington with child endangerment after arresting him early Friday morning. Investigators said the boy was later examined by medical personnel and did not require hospitalisation. It has not been confirmed whether the suspect is related to the boy. The footage, taken on Thursday afternoon, shows Whittington running after the boy inside a Bakersfield convenience store before catching up to him and punching him
View this video on our Facebook page. WARNING, video contains graphic content store’s owner, Harry Dindral, adding that Whittington had shopped there in the past, but did not buy anything following the incidents that were caught on camera. www.rawstory.com
Australia Govt. pulls benefits from antivaccination moms The Australian government have announce the introduction of a new policy it calls “The 'no jab, no pay' plan, that may see Australian parents lose thousands of dollars of childcare and welfare benefits if they refuse to vaccinate their kids. Thousands of families could lose payments, with the government estimating about 39,000 children under seven have not received immunisation because their parents are vaccine objectors. Social Services Minister Scott Morrison said it is not fair for taxpayers to subsidise parents who choose not to immunise. 'The overwhelming advice of
those in the health profession is it's the smart thing and the right thing to do to immunise your children,' Mr Morrison told reporters in Sydney. The government says the number of parents opting for the 'conscientious objection' vaccination exemption for payments has more than doubled over the past decade. This new plan comes steady on the back of the growing “antivaccer” movements in the US and a handful of other countries, which have been deemed responsible for the reintroduction of diseases which have long since been eradicated on account of vaccinations.
Worlds first head transplant Man undergoing operation could experience something 'a lot worse than death', says neurological expert Russian man Valery Spiridonov has volunteered to become the first person in the world to undergo a complete head transplant. Literally his entire head. On a different body. The operation will be carried out by Italian surgeon Dr Sergio Canavero, in what he expects to be a 36-hour procedure involving 150 doctors and nurses. A Werdnig-Hoffman disease sufferer with rapidly declining health, 30-year-old Spiridonov is willing to take a punt on this very experimental surgery and you cannot really blame him, but while he is prepared for the possibility that the body will reject his head and he will die, his fate could be considerably worse than death. "I would not wish this on anyone," said Dr Hunt Batjer, president elect of the American Association for Neurological Surgeons. "I would not allow anyone to do it to me as there are a lot of things worse than death."
The problem is, fusing a head with a separate body (including spinal cord, jugular vein etc) could result in a hitherto never experienced level and quality of insanity. Arthur Caplan, director of medical ethics at New York University’s Langone Medical Centre, who described Dr Canavero as "nuts", believes that the bodies of head transplant patients "would end up being overwhelmed with different pathways and chemistry than they are used to and they would go crazy." A head transplant was performed on a monkey 45 years ago in 1970. It lived, but only for eight days, with the body rejecting the new head and the monkey being left unable to breathe and unable to move because the spinal cord of the head and body were not connected properly. Dr Canavero hopes to complete the operation in 2017. www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
Police in Georgia say a man shot at an armadillo, but ended up accidentally wounding his motherin-law when the bullet ricocheted off the mammal. Larry McElroy (54) told officers that his motherin-law, Carol Johnson, suffered a gunshot wound after a 9mm round he fired at an armadillo bounced off the animal and struck her. Mrs Johnson suffered injuries that were described as non life-threatening; the armadillo was killed. “Just the circumstance, just all the way around, the whole situation was unusual,” investigator Bill Smith of the Lee county Sheriff's Office told the WALB-TV station. Indeed, according to investigators Mr McElroy claimed his bullet killed the armadillo, bounced off the animal then hit a fence, travelled through the back-door of Mrs Johnson’s mobile home and passed through the reclining chair she was lying in, striking her in the back. Officers said Mr McElroy was 100 yards away from Mrs Johnson’s home when he fired the shot. Reports said no charges were filed in the case and Mrs Johnson was not badly injured. “She was walking around on her own power and talking,” Mr Smith added. “It did not appear to be too severe. They took her to Phoebe North hospital.” Local official James Morgan said the authorities recommended either shooting or trapping armadillos that are creating a nuisance. “At first I ask if they live in the city or county, because shooting is an effective way of getting rid of them. However, you have to be safe when you do that,” he said. Mr Smith said local residents should use a shotgun rather than a handgun. “I really think if they are going to shoot at varmints and whatnot, maybe use a shotgun with a spread pattern with a lot less range,” he said. www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
Toddler falls into cheetahs' cage at zoo after parents 'dangled him' Cleveland Metroparks Zoo to pursue a charge against parents after tragedy narrowly avoided. A US zoo is to seek charges against the parents of a toddler who fell into a cheetah pen – after they allegedly dangled him over the enclosure. Reports said tragedy was narrowly avoided at the weekend after the two-year-old boy fell into the exhibit at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. The cheetahs ignored the boy, whose parents climbed into the exhibit to get him out, zoo officials said. “You could just hear the screams and all you could see was the adult that jumped in and got the kid,” Michael Lurie, a visitor to the zoo who witnessed the incident, told WEWS-TV. “Then somebody pulled him out.” The zoo planned to file child endangerment charges against the boy's parents on Monday, zoo officials said. “Unfortunately, we have a number of eyewitness accounts that point to the strong likelihood that the child was dangled over the railing,” said Christopher Kuhar, the zoo’s executive director. There has been no comment yet from the child’s parents. Cleveland Fire Department spokesman Larry Gray told the Associated Press that the toddler was treated for bumps and bruises. www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
Motoring
Thursday, 16 April 2015
motoring
VW launches digital hot hatch super car Wolfsburg, Germany - Volkswagen, the inventor of the GTI, has launched the latest descendant of the original hot hatch on the digital race circuit. Gran Turismo 6 fans can now download the VW GTI Supersport, a 370kW digital supercar. A 635Nm VR6 TSI, seven-speed double-clutch transmission and 4Motion all-wheel drive take the virtual Veedub from 0-100km in 3.6 seconds and on to more than 300km/h. The basic shape is still a two-box hatch, but it has been lowered, widened and body-kitted for a radical stance,
Clarkson SA tour still going ahead Johannesburg - Despite being sacked from Top Gear, Jeremy Clarkson's live tours with partners in crime Richard Hammond and James May are still going ahead in South Africa, and now fans have been invited to pre-register for the Johannesburg event, which takes place at the Dome from 12-14 June. Tickets officially go on sale on 20 April but organisers say that those wanting the best seats in the house could have been
pre-registered by midnight on Tuesday 14th April to qualify for the 'pre-sale' that starts the following day Prices for the event are expected to start at R395 per person for mezzanine level seating, rising to R995 for a spot in the first front rows. Group rates will be available to those wanting to book 10 or more tickets. This year's event, which is named 'Clarkson, Hammond and May Live', promises the usual mix of “beautiful cars, breath-
taking stunts as well as all the irreverent humour that fans know and love from the trio.” Booking just phone +27 (0)31 303 9177 or 0861 000 291 or email marketing@ befestivals.co.za. (IOL Motoring)
with lots of carbon-fibre components to lower the centre of gravity and raise its power-to-weight ratio to hairraising 295kW per ton. Wide body flares provide homes for the special 20-inch alloys and ventilation ducts for the rear brakes, while a big roof-edge spoiler and rear diffuser deliver the downforce for fast lap-times. Download it to your Playstation in silver, red, blue or white - and do not be surprised if you see something very similar 'in the metal' at the Worthersee GTI-Treffen gathering in May 2015. (IOLMotoring)
Gran Turismo 6 fans can now download the VW GTI Supersport allwheel drive digital supercar
LOST
Please help us find Vodka! She is two years old and is very scared of people. The last time we saw her was last week Wednesday near Walvis Bay Private High School. She is a dearly loved cat and is sorely missed. If you have seen her please contact Sharon on 081 394 1235.
Vodka when she was a kitten.
NO DEPOSIT ● N$2100P/M 60 Months ● rv 25% ● C1 Comfort 5 Doors Air/Con ● Radio Terms and conditions apply. Image for illustration purposes only. While stocks last.
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