Namib Independent Issue 150 by The Namib Independent

Independent Namib

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Issue 150 - Thurs, 28 May 2015 to Wed, 03 June 2015

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"SMEs face a number of obstacles, such as access to finance for enterprises, particularly for start-ups and small-scale enterprises"

Is your Dad the COOLEST Dad in the world?

Minister of Finance, Calle Schlettwein, on creating an enabling environment for SMEs

Stand a chance to win super cool prizes in our Father's Day competition!

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how much do we actually drink?

See full report on Page 4

"To stop us you

will have to kill us" Coast to feel full brunt of Namibian ‘occupy movement’ Gareth Amos (commentary) “To stop us you will have to kill us,”… Job Amupanda, upon hearing that the Henties Bay Municipality will make 121 plots available to his revolutionary political movement, Affirmative Repositioning. In less than 60 days an AR army of 12500 is expected to spill into the affluent neighbourhoods of our coastal towns with the explicit goal of occupying any vacant plots (regardless of ownership), unless their demands are met by the D-Day deadline of 31st July 2015. For those who doubt the resolve and competence of Amupanda to move mountains of Namibians to action, and to those who have rather elected to ignore this young man and movement, now is the time to take heed of his determined war on poverty. Amupanda is the first of a new generation of Namibian politicians, unmoved and unaffected by the nostalgic songs of struggle politics, which to date have granted pardon to politicians building a nation. This does not mean though, that Amupanda is devoid of the unwavering, single-mindedness, revolutionary political

disposition that so well served these leaders of our nation’s last struggle. Amupanda is part of a new political dynamism, who, a quarter of a century after independence, are waging anew, a war whose time, one thinks, may just have come. Amupanda’s plight is a 21st century struggle echoed in all corners of the globe as nations rise one after the other as they wage their wars on poverty. Although Namibia (and the coast by default) has for a long time been afforded the dubious honour of being at the very pinnacle of income disparity, the planet, instead of shifting further away from our statistical certainty, has been edging steadily in our direction. Unfettered capitalism (read greed), deregulation, globalisation and the mechanisms of the global financial systems have brought no wealth to nations but have instead created a planetary phenomenon that sees the richest 10% (individual people) owning 60% of the world’s resources. The new struggle Back home, perhaps by drawing parallels to a bygone era, one cannot help but observe that the Affirmative Repositioning

movement stands today where our liberation leaders stood in the latter half of the 1960’s - at the pinnacle point of no return. To best illustrate how the echoes of the past lace the battle cry of today, the author has taken the liberty (excuse the pun) of printing a statement extracted from the official website of SWAPO, outlining the period of quiet calm before the storm, which has been altered only by inserting references to AR into the statement. So reads the manifesto of yesteryear today: “this period witnessed the dynamic development of movement, characterised by the consolidation of SWAPO” [AR: The poor and the youth] in the Namibian society. The objective of SWAPO [AR] was to fight relentlessly for [AR: economic] freedom and genuine [AR: economic] independence of Namibia (AR: Namibians) to translate the hopes and aspirations of the people of Namibia into reality. The war on poverty Make no mistake then that the war on poverty has begun and in little more than one months’ time, residents in Walvis Bay and Swakopmund will find themselves ensconced firmly on the battlefield of this particular Continued on Page 3

Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda, general of a 12500 strong “army of the poor”, soon to be unleashed on the coast

Local businesses lose millions on mass housing fiasco Sharon Brooks The construction of houses at the coast through the mass housing scheme has been underway since March last year, and reports have surfaced recently that many of the projects have been brought to a stand-still due to a lack of funds, with Power Oyenu (one of the tender recipients) stating that an amount of N$90 million is owed to them under the mass housing scheme. We spoke to a few coastal businesses who have been supplying materials and services to the sub-contractors under the scheme and it emerged that massive amounts of debt have been racked up by the projects since late last year, with amounts outstanding to

the four companies interviewed running into the millions. According to the local businesses, who all wish to remain anonymous, the project started off well and was running smoothly. Toward the end of last year however, payments from the sub-contractors began to dry up. One particular company currently has an amount of N$2 million outstanding from the various subcontractors, both in Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, with the last payment having been received last year. Another company informed us that an amount of over N$2.5 million has been outstanding for 90 days or more. The massive outstanding amounts have resulted in severe cash flow problems for the larger suppliers, but some companies have been left in ruins.

After ensuring in a face to face meeting with the contractor that there would be enough funds available, a smaller company involved in the project started work on the houses in February this year. The owner reports that mass housing owes an amount of N$550 000, which has crippled the business. They are unable to order materials because all their accounts have been closed, and thus are unable to take on new jobs to create an income. Whilst they have put aside enough to pay their employees, the financial situation is snowballing out of control for the business, with many creditors expecting payment this week, but there are no funds available. In essence, this company’s Continued on Page 3

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Thursday, 28 May 2015

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Tel (+264 64) 200 497 Email info@namibindependent.com.na Sales Lorna Bock 081 558 1263 lorna@namibindependent.com.na Wouter Deysel 081 437 8678 wouter@namibindependent.com.na Rita Potgieter 081 150 5455 rita@namibindependent.com.na Gareth Amos 081 129 2157 gareth@namibindependent.com.na Editorial Sharon Brooks sharon@namibindependent.com.na Design Maggie’s Attic Graphic Design sonya4maggiesattic@gmail.com 081 129 2158 Address

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Woermann Brock clarifies facts of ongoing dispute with council Letter to the Editor Based on the newspaper article “W&B and Council at loggerheads over property” by the Namib Independent on 7th May 2015 regarding the “ongoing dispute” between Woermann Brock and the Municipality of Swakopmund, Woermann Brock Swakopmund wishes to be granted the chance to clarify some of the facts: 1.

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.

Woermann Brock has no desire or intention to be at “loggerheads” with Council, neither was the letter from Ingo Woermann meant to be “scathing”. Instead, the promises, dialogue and public approval have been going to and fro since 2012, when the delivery vans of Fruit & Veg parked at the pedestrian walkway to the rear of our closed access to erf 2759. Woermann Brock is still desirous to settle the matter amicably. Woermann Brock has always been part of the development and empowerment of Namibia and its people and welcomes any improvements / developments. When Woermann Brock Properties bought erf 2759 we already compromised on the funny shape in order to enable the Salt Company to establish the railway line, which is now redirected with regards to the planned Bahnhof Square. Years ago, the original Woermann Brock gate on Mandume ya Ndemufayo Road was closed due to increased criminal activities and theft, the fact remains that we always had an entrance to and from Erf 2759 on Mandume ya Ndemufayo Road. Double standards, with regards to solving the ongoing and constantly increasing traffic problems in Swakopmund when it comes to approval of New Buildings are the norm. We suggest, the Municipality should be strict with the approval of building plans and more specifically with the inspection and control of the completed buildings and the issuing of completion certificates. No trading licence should be granted if the finished building does not comply with the original approved plans by the Municipality of Swakopmund.

As this issue has now become public we feel free to mention a few but by far not all of the “double standards” applied to various landowners in Swakopmund and/or their clients: a. Stadtmitte: Originally public parking was to be provided free of charge in the basement of this building. However, N$5.00 per hour was charged (± 6 years ago). The underground parking bays which

should provide parking for the customers and shop-owners of Stadtmitte were closed for the public: “Private parking tenants only”. The same applies to the Areva building: shop-owners and clients using street parking except for the “Areva offices”, 1st floor. The underground parking facilities are privately owned, closed for public. The same “arrangements” may apply for the “Beach Hotel” as well as the “Strand Hotel”. The latter have to provide ±250 open parking bays of which 145 are reserved for the hotel and 105 for the public (hopefully the first row will be reserved for the citizens of Swakopmund otherwise the citizens of this town are deprived of their traditional rights). “Brückenpark”, the new “Luxury Suites”, as well as “Home Corp” and the extended “Infinity” building and more can be added to this list. With regards to “Infinity”, the traditional SME’s had to move for “public parking” to solve the newly created problems. Meanwhile the SME’s are back but they suffer due to decreased space. The public sincerely hope that the new “Swakop Plaza” will provide enough underground parking for residents, shopowners and clients and not, once again, rely on the parking which the Municipality provided next door free of charge for ALL citizens of Swakopmund on local ground.

All these buildings are new developments which should abide to the laws and regulations of the Municipality of Swakopmund. 3.

The fact that the Fruit & Veg Building started trading on 1st July 2011 and their application on 26/01/2011 to buy a part of the very busy Mandume ya Ndemufayo Street clearly shows that this Municipality approved building had a shortage of ±20 parking bays as well as a problem with their deliveries.

The cutting off and sale of a part of this Main Street (520 m² to Fruit & Veg City) blocks the traffic and is a high public safety risk. It narrows Mandume ya Ndemufayo Street directly from the corner of the intersection with C34 (Moses Garoeb Street leading to Henties Bay). It now already creates a major traffic jam and risk for the people driving to Mondesa, DRC and the Industrial Area. The traffic risk and congestion will significantly increase with the intended development of Bahnhof Square. At the Fruit & Veg Delivery Area only one inter-link is able to offload whilst other trucks have to wait on the pavement, blocking the access to and from Woermann Brock’s erf. More important, however, is the fact that the inter-links have to turn in the road in order to reverse into the delivery area of Fruit & Veg and by doing this they block the traffic tremendously. When the sale was discussed within Council in 2011 there were warnings with regards to high

volume of traffic but these were rejected. Ingo Woermann, as a responsible citizen of Swakopmund made the Municipality and the Mayor aware of the situation and tried to find an amicable solution. Woermann Brock spent at lease N$30 000.00 on a Town Planner as we were publically granted our entrance to and from Erf 2759, which is far away from the Corner of C34 in Mandume ya Ndemufayo Road in September 2012 and again in January 2015. At one stage Woermann Brock was even instructed to provide a “professional traffic impact study”. Neither the town of Swakopmund nor Fruit & Veg or Bahnhof Square have provided one to date. We are of the opinion, that, once again, a case of double standards has been applied at the cost of others and the safety of the public in general but in favour of one single commercial entity. The argument from the Municipality of Swakopmund to repeal their approvals of September 2012 and January 2015 “due to safety reasons” in the first place is contradictory as they allowed two accesses in Mandume ya Ndefmufayo much closer to the intersection of C34 than Woermann Brock Properties would be. Furthermore, Fruit & Veg also have two accesses on C34 (altogether four accesses) whereas Woermann Brock Properties have two accesses in Hidipo Hamutenya Avenue; thus, Woermann Brock Properties, is deprived of their constitutional right of movement by not being allowed or able to develop their large erf any further in future due to not having an access to erf 2759 on Mandume ya Ndemufayo Street! The Municipality of Swakopmund, please allow us to question, why two formally granted accesses on our erf 1923 in Vineta Shopping Centre were closed in ± 2012, and, furthermore, why the access from Shell Petrol Station into Kühnast Street, which was never approved by Council, and, which already was cited as the cause of two accidents is still tolerated? The question of “double standards” still remains. Once again, solutions can be found and Woermann Brock Properties is willing to assist therein. It was not our intention to go public yet. The freelance Journalist took the matter up after the Ordinary Council Meeting of 26 March 2015, BUT the “double standards being applied” makes us think that well-known responsible citizens who apply honesty as their best policy are not “in fashion” anymore. Gaby Woermann

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Thursday, 28 May 2015

"To stop us you

will have to kill us" Continued from Page 1 war. This is unless the AR movement’s demands are met by the local authorities and regional government of our towns and region. If there is one thing we have learnt in the last 10 months about Amupanda and the AR movement is that they have yet to falter or leave a milestone unattended. The coast has borne witness to the movement’s ability to mobilise the masses, when in April this year, the Municipalities of Swakopmund and Walvis Bay saw 9500 and 3000 homeless Namibians ascend upon their premises to each one submit a formal land application to the authorities. The army of the poor were, under instruction from Amupanda’s movement, fulfilling stage one of a two stage process to obtain land upon which to build homes in our coastal towns. Stage two, will play out in the affluent areas on the coastal towns as the same army occupies plots upon which they intend to build homes. Although a caveat in the form of the July 31st deadline for the municipal bodies to process the applications (read – award land) has been set, the newspaper has it on good authority that it is almost a certainty that not only will our local authorities not meet this deadline but neither will the majority of municipalities nationwide be able to meet the movement’s demands. The movement has thus far been able to mobilise about 50 000 Namibians to submit applications to towns throughout the nation. This fact brings the conversation back to the certainty that if Amupanda decides to unleash his army of followers on the 31st of July, the face of our towns will not look the same ever again and disharmony is sure to ensue. Coastal battle lines Taking into consideration the reality of the situation, the Namib Independent has been in contact with the authorities, Nampol and even neighbourhood watch organisations who are sure to be called to action to face situations in which even our police force has no previous experience. Deputy Commissioner

Kashuupulwa of Nampol stated, “We will handle the issue according to the law. If someone erects a structure on a vacant erf, the owner of that property (be it the council or a private individual) must obtain a court order to remove those people from the property. In such instances we will use force to remove people from properties with a court order if it is needed”. There was no mention by Nampol of increased policing in the areas, despite the likelihood that there will be a continued call for policing services based only on the disharmony such action will create in any neighbourhood anywhere in the world. Aili Gebhardt (Swakopmund Municipality PR), said what Over 3000 applications were received through the AR movement. These applications will not be given any preferential treatment. The process is done on a first come, first served basis. There is currently no land available, as all available land has been allocated to the mass housing scheme. Sources within Walvis Bay Municipality have indicated that the situation resembles that of the Swakop Municipality, although at time of going to print, no official statement was received. Neighbourhood Watch organisations were contacted in both towns and in the suburbs listed by the movement and the general consensus was that each had no mandate to really address the situation nor to remove the “squatters”. Mike Nederlof from the Swakopmund Neighbourhood Watch did indicate that if the owner of a plot were to approach them directly, only then they would remove the activists from the plot. The revolution will be televised Amapunda is determined to succeed and has put in place excellent contingency plans to ensure that the AR activists are not harmed or forcefully

removed by the state. In a statement released only days ago, Amapunda states, “Peace and Stability nonsense also FAILED. The World Media is invited and mobilised to be in Namibia as from 28 July 2015 to monitor the Elites and how we will occupy the land. 31 July 2015 have been covered by New African, eNCA, CNN, BBC, Aljazeera and we have conducted many interviews with all these about our plights when they visited Namibia. There will also be people who have dealt with the International Criminal Court (ICC) to see if there will be state sanctioned brutality and make formal submissions on our behalf as future victims so that Political Elites can join Charles Tylor in the cells at The Hague. All these things can still be avoided by giving the youth land. All we need is Land. Just Land”.

We will target any open property. We hope that the process will remain peaceful. Let common sense prevail Considering a statement issued to the Namib Independent by local activist, George Dasilva Hishitelwa, “We will target any open property. We hope that the process will remain peaceful, but if they use force, we will retaliate,” the Namib Independent invites and encourages all parties (Municipalities, NAMPOL, churches, community and residential leaders, emergency services, media and AR leaders) to facilitate meetings and to open dialogue with a singular vision of creating an atmosphere of respect, compassion, peace, kindness and harmony between all affected parties, no matter the circumstances we may find ourselves in come July 31, 2015.

Local businesses lose millions on mass housing fiasco Continued from Page 1

involvement in the mass housing scheme is putting it out of business, and if relief is not found soon, they may have to close their doors. All of the suppliers we spoke to have stopped doing business with subcontractors working on the project due to non-payment, and many wonder whether construction will continue for very much longer, as businesses across the coast begin to turn the sub-contractors away. One business has orders from the mass housing scheme amounting to nearly N$1 million, which he refuses to supply until payment is made and is working on a cash only basis in regards to the project. He says that he is committed to the project, and will gladly continue supplying his products once the outstanding debts have been settled. According to the suppliers, the contractors blame the government for non-payment, and some suppliers are appalled at the mismanagement of the project. One supplier

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says that it is completely unacceptable that the government embarked on the scheme without first ensuring that sufficient funds would be made available.

The government is supposed to protect us, but because of them my livelihood is at stake. One particular individual said “the government is supposed to protect us, but because of them my livelihood is at stake”. When contacted for comment and asked how much money was outstanding and what had caused the current financial crisis that the project finds itself in, NHE responded that they are not in a position to comment, and that we should contact the Government for clarification.

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Thursday, 28 May 2015

How much do we actually drink?

Jade McClune Folks, it’s time to admit we have a problem. Without going into the obvious reasons why, suffice to note that we drank our way into third place, as Namibia emerged this week at the top of the charts as one of the leading consumers of alcohol in Africa. Yes, you read that right. Despite its high rate of youth unemployment and extreme levels of poverty and income inequality, Namibia rose like foam to the top of the beer glass to emerge among the countries whose citizens most love to grease their elbows. Third place in the continental drinking contest; perhaps next year we will do better, some might say and although profits of the breweries are looking robust, the health costs to the drinkers are considerable. Regular drinkers above the age of 15 guzzled downed on average 34 litres each of pure alcohol here in 2010, with beer making up 97%. Female drinkers typically consumed more than 18 litres each per year. World Bank data shows that alcohol consumption in Namibia was recorded at a mere 2.5 litres per person in 1997, but after the enactment of the new Liquor Licensing Act (which allowed the largely unregulated sale of alcohol in poorer residential

areas) consumption rose sharply to an average 10.8 litres per capita by 2010, and there is no indication of any reverse in the dizzying trend. The data suggests that alcohol use is a major contributor a large number of road accidents, cases of domestic and gender-

based violence, crime and alcohol-attributed deaths from diseases, such as liver cirrhosis and cancer, place a massive burden on already overstretched health services. In Namibia there are currently no legal restrictions on advertising alcohol products, even in cases where children are exposed to the marketing material, and there are no legally binding regulations on alcohol sponsorship or sales promotions, not even where young people are involved. There is also no legal requirement to put any health warning labels on alcohol advertisements or bottles and there is no national alcohol impact monitoring system, despite the evidence that alcohol is a leading contributor to crime, violence and the spate of road accidents. Lawmakers facing the scourge of alcoholism in South Africa are now considering raising the permitted drinking age from 18 to 21 in an effort to stem the tide. The weekly Mail & Guardian reported this week that birth defects associated with alcohol abuse in that country are 141 times higher than in the US. No such data is currently available in Namibia. Africa’s largest wine producer, South Africa ranks also as the continent’s leader in alcohol consumption, with

an average yearly consumption rate of 11 litres of pure alcohol per capita. Given how closely alcohol consumption has become linked in the public mind to sport and entertainment events, with international celebrities and sports stars raked in to promote the drinks, consumption of alcoholic beverages has even become a source of national identity and pride. Coincidentally, the most intoxicated nation in Africa, South Africa, is also the country traumatised by the highest levels of income inequalities in the world. The two richest South Africans,

diamond magnate Nicky Oppenheimer and tobacco baron Anton Rupert, control as much wealth as 29.5 million of the poorest South Africans. It is not yet clear from the data if there is a direct connection between the fact that South Africa and Namibia are world leaders, both in terms of income inequality and alcohol consumption. After South Africa, Namibia ranks as the second most unequal country in the world, with – as the latest data suggests – the third drunkest population in the whole of Africa. #FixitHage

Two Cheetah cubs found Cash in transit robbery gone wrong behind Dune 7 Sharon Brooks

Two juvenile cheetahs were spotted on Sunday morning roughly one kilometre away from Dune 7 looking extremely unwell. By the time a veterinarian arrived on the scene however, one of the pups had sadly passed away. The surviving female cheetah was successfully rescued and treated and was transferred to Okonjima on Wednesday for rehabilitation and hopefully, release. When tour guide CJ Jooste first spotted the cubs on Sunday morning, their movements made it apparent that the cats were exhausted. Swakop based veterinarian, Dr Winterbach responded to the call immediately, but unfortunately

by the time they were able to locate the cubs, one of them had succumbed to dehydration. It took three hours for the rescuers to get close enough to the surviving cheetah to tranquilise her and load her into a vehicle in order to receive the medical treatment she so desperately needed. The cubs are estimated to be between five and six months old. It is thought that they got separated from their mother a number of days before finally being rescued. There were no signs to be found of the presence of their mother. The cheetah would not have survived much longer as she was severely dehydrated, and it remains a mystery as to how they ended up in the area. While there are a number of cheetah to

Julia Hango

Photo courtesy of Marko Van Dorssen be found in the Namib Naukluft Park, it is not often that they are spotted in this region. This is not the first time, however, that cheetah have been found at the coast. In 2013, two cheetah cubs were found in critical condition near Swakopmund - both these animals were also transferred to Okonjima at the time. The surviving youngster was housed at the Swakopmund SPCA and was placed on a drip to treat her dehydration. By Tuesday she began eating on her own. Transport to Okonjima was arranged by Africat and the Ministry of Environment and Tourism and the youngster was transferred to Okonjima on Wednesday where she will be monitored. Once she is fit and healthy, she will be released into the wild.

Early Tuesday morning two security guards from the Erongo Axis security company foiled a cash in transit robbery at the Welwitschia Hospital in Walvisbay. According to Jason Maasdorp from the Erongo Axis security company two guards were sent on their usual round to collect a cash box from the hospital and, upon walking out of the hospital, the guards noticed three suspicious looking guys seated in the reception area. These men followed the guards to the vehicle. “As the security guards got into the car, one of the guys came to the window of the female guard and started asking her all sorts of questions - whether she knew him or not - and before they realised they could be crooks, the man had already grabbed the cash box out of the back

seat through the window,” Maasdorp explained. The other guard ran after the three robbers who were running away with the cash box, one of the robbers then started shooting at the guard who ran behind them. No one was hurt but the chase resulted in the robbers throwing the box which they unsuccessfully tried to open at the guard running behind them. Gareth Smith, Welwitchia hospital manager, said that he was not involved in the incident that morning he had just heard what happened and cannot quite say anything about it except what he had heard. When asked whether or not the hospital will be making a police case to find the three robbers he noted that although he is not directly involved with the case but he feels that the hospital should open a case. The collected cash was destined for FNB Bank in Walvis Bay.

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Thursday, 28 May 2015

Local businesses to get boost from new laws Business Reporter

The Minister of Finance says new laws on banking and procurement will give a much-needed boost to local producers and service providers. Minister Calle Schlettwein told members of the Namibia Chamber of Commerce in Swakopmund on Friday that government’s Vision 2030 policy advocates self-employment by creating an enabling environment for the SME sector, ensuring access to finance for local firms “by reworking the current banking system”. He said SMEs contribute no less than 30% to the country’s Gross Domestic Product and are responsible for a significant portion of jobs created. “However, SMEs face a number of obstacles, such as access to finance for enterprises, particularly for start-ups and for micro and small-scale enterprises.” “High bank user charges and fees, high transaction costs, low levels of financial literacy, and a lack of appropriate and innovative finance products (e.g. microfinance) and instruments (e.g. venture capital, bridging finance) are key factors” limiting access to funding for small businesses, he said. In addition, many SMEs do not have the collateral to qualify for bank loans and are “unable to buy equipment, to invest in, or expand their businesses in order to produce more goods and services, and to employ more people.” He reasoned that during the global economic downturn (“the great recession”) of the last decade Germany and Israel shed fewer jobs and also managed to bounce back faster, “partly due to the flexibility of their SME business framework”. International experience also shows that SMEs have the ability to create more jobs, and do not

Negotiations continue on desalination plant takeover

retrench easily during economic difficulties, he noted. To give effect to its policy, government will boost the reserves of the SME Bank by injecting close to N$500 million in share capital into the bank over the next three years. “A decision was taken for the Development Bank of Namibia not to continue with its SME lending programme, but to allow the SME Bank to focus exclusively on this sector” Schlettwein revealed. He also said that a draft Banking Institutions Bill due to be tabled during the current session of Parliament will make provision for second-tier banks, ‘microfinance banking institutions’, to be set up to boost local enterprise. A new Public Procurement Bill was presented in Parliament in 2013, he said, but it was withdrawn to allow for further consultation. The Draft Bill will be re-introduced in Parliament during this session, ushering in a new system of procurement. The Bill aims to boost procurement of goods and services from local businesses. It provides for national preferences in procurement and exclusive preferences to local individuals, companies and entities, he said. The Ministry of Trade and Industrialisation also has an ongoing programme to construct multipurpose SME Modules and Industrial Parks and to make these available at affordable rates. “We also expect the Ministry of Public Enterprises and the Ministry of Industrialisation, Trade and SME Development to work on strategic supply chain partnerships between State-Owned Enterprises and SMEs, be it in the provisioning of goods and services or participation in large infrastructure projects," Schlettwein said.

Julia Hango Areva resources Namibia and the government are still in negotiations that began last year over the transfer of Areva's Erongo desalination plant to the Namibian water corporation. According to Hilifa Mbako, the managing director at Areva, the plant is owned by Areva and the government has shown immense interest in taking over the plant, "We have set up a team of people to undergo these negotiations and the government has done the same, the negotiations, which began last year, have now reached an advanced level, and the government has already announced to the public that they will be taking over the plant" he said. The desalination plant is capable of providing water for the entire Erongo region, but is currently only supplying the town of Swakopmund and the mining industry. "Other end users may also be dependent on the plant

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but we would not know that kind of information at Areva, we supply to Namwater and they negotiate with the end users." Said Mbako. The desalination plant is the largest of its kind in southern Africa and is located at Wlotzkasbaken some 30 kilometers from Swakopmund. The plant was inaugurated in 2010 to supply portable water to the Trekkopje uranium mine. In a recent report in the Namibian newspaper, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Mines and Energy Kahijoro Kahuure said during a two day chamber of mines mining conference held last week "I remember when we gave Areva the permit to start that dissemination plant, I was at the department of water affairs then. We did not think it through thoroughly." according to Kahuure, Areva is in the business of mining, not water supply to other mines, adding that the government will acquire the plant, all that is left is ironing out the final details of the negotiations.

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News

Thursday, 28 May 2015

Mega projects planned for the Erongo region Business Reporter During his visit to Swakopmund last week Finance Minister Calle Schlettwein gave businesspeople at the coast a look at the projects that government will finance in the region over the next three years. Speaking at a breakfast meeting of the Swakopmund branch of the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) on Friday, Minister Schlettwein said local and small businesses should also benefit from the economic stimulus as government has budgeted no less than N$5.6 billion for the procurement of goods and services on several major infrastructure projects in the Erongo region before the next round of funding in 2018. Aside from the massive multi-billion dollar harbour expansion projects ongoing to the south and north of Walvis Bay, several other major regional projects are fully budgeted for and under construction, or in the pipeline. Road and rail upgrades Coastal commuters and transport operators will be interested to know that Schlettwein confirmed that N$1.3 billion has been budgeted for the construction of a new tarred road between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay that will run behind the dunes. The finance ministry also set aside N$537 million for the upgrade of the existing B2 road between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay. The B2 road between Karibib, Usakos and Swakopmund road is also undergoing renovations and upgrade for which N$747 million has been earmarked. The road that runs between Swakopmund, Henties Bay and Kamanjab will be upgraded to the tune of N$156 million. The railway network in the region, which has been subject to a number of severe and regular, though fortunately not catastrophic, disasters and accidents in recent years will be upgraded at a cost of some N$123 million.

Other major infrastructural projects planned and budgeted for in the Medium Term Expenditure Framework include the Walvis Bay Airport upgrade (N$447 million), the Namibian Navy Headquarters in Walvis Bay (N$396 million), Namibian Air Force Headquarters at Karibib (N$348 million), a desalination plant near Swakopmund (N$172 million), as well as a new Testing & Inspection Centre for the Namibia Standards Institute at Walvis Bay (N$137 million).

Land question The readiness of the Geingob administration to respond quickly and with determination to the growing demand for urban housing and erven is demonstrated by the fact that government budgeted no less than N$668 million for the servicing of residential erven at Swakopmund (N$386 million). Walvis Bay was allocated N$157 million and Henties Bay N$124 million. A further N$592 million has also been set aside for the purchase of farm land in Erongo to meet the government’s targets in terms of agricultural land reform and resettlement.

No Namibian must feel left out Noting that he tabled the N$67 billion budget in March under the unifying theme: “No Namibian must feel left out”, Schlettwein said “Inclusivity of growth means that the composition of economic growth should mainstream a large number of people in the growth process, particularly the poor, the youth and women; thereby allowing these social strata to benefit from the growth dividend and emerging job opportunities. “It implies drawing local businesses, especially SMEs, into the value-addition and supply chains so as to optimise local economic development, wealth generation and job creation.”

Finance Minister Calle Schlettwein

Nampol Women’s Network show their support for Benita Johannes

Sharon Brooks The Erongo branch of the Nampol Women’s Network came together and raised over N$13000 for Benita Johannes, the brave young lady who was maimed after a train accident in 2013. The Women’s Network was formed in 2000 and aims to

empower women within the force and in their communities, they accomplish this feat by educating women about their rights, and when the women heard Benita’s story, they decided to do what they could to show their support for her. The group handed over a cheque of N$12 039.45 and N$1700 worth of groceries to the delighted young lady on Wednesday afternoon at the Walvis Bay Police Station. Deputy Commissioner Kashuupulwa said “we want to show that we are not here just to arrest, but that we care about the community, we believe that this donation will help her”. Benita Johannes (15) the Duinesig Combined School grade 10 learner who lost her left arm, leg and right foot in the accident responded to the donation by saying “Thank you very much for your beautiful and generous help”

A new calling system for the Walvisbay NATIS office

Julia Hango The Municipality of Walvis Bay announced this week that as from 2 June, prospective applicants for learners and driver's licences will be able to book their appointments over the phone, thus eliminating the need to arrive at the Natis offices in the early hours of the morning to stand in line. According to Fina Kotze at the Walvis Bay NATIS office, they are trying a different system to find a solution that works for them, “It is totally up to all the other NATIS offices to change their calling systems, we decided on trying something new because the previous system failed,” she said. The learner’s license bookings can be done every Tuesday from 08:00 until bookings are full, while driver's license bookings can be made every Thursday morning only one booking per call will be accepted.

Payments and eye tests for learners are done on Wednesday mornings from 08:00 and Friday mornings for driver’s licenses. All applicants must bring the required documents along with them when they arrive for their appointment, applicants will be able to find out which documents they need when they phone to make the booking. If an applicant fails to show up for a test, the application will be nullified and put on a 21 day waiting period before they will be able to apply for another test. Applicants who wish to cancel their appointments can do so on Wednesday mornings as long as they have a copy of their Namiban ID. As from the 1 June 2015, the NATIS registration authority office of Walvis Bay will do away with all the previous booking system, and as of 2 June, bookings can be made by calling 064206024.

News

Thursday, 28 May 2015

Namibia calls on AU ‘to silence the guns’

To combat radicalisation and extremism, governments need to be more responsive to the needs of Youth - PSC Chair Amina Diallo

Deputy Minister Foreign Affairs Maureen Hinda Jade McClune The serene seaside resort of Swakopmund provided the setting for African peace-keeping efforts over the past week when international experts, delegates and staff of the Peace and Security Commission of the African Union met here for a two-day summit to deliberate on the difficulties of preventing war and conflict in Africa. As host country, Namibia used the occasion to call for a special session of Assembly of the African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government to be convened to take forward the “campaign to silence the guns in Africa by 2020”. Speaking at the opening of the conference – which looked at ways of strengthening the work of the Peace and Security Commission (PSC) – Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maureen Hinda said the most serious conflicts in Africa are mainly caused by unequal access to resources and opportunities and called on the delegates to work out strategies to assist African countries to prevent conflicts before they erupt. ‘Women are peace-leaders’ Hinda said Namibia is proud to have played a key role 15 years ago in the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, which calls for the protection of women in armed conflict and the involvement of women in peacekeeping initiatives. During its term on the Security Council, Namibia first initiated the ‘Open Debate of the Security Council on Women, Peace and Security’, which led to the eventual adoption of a special resolution on the protection of women in armed conflict. Referring to the case of the hundreds of girls abducted by extremist terror group Boko Haram in Nigeria, Hinda told the AU and regional delegates: “We failed the Chibok girls. As we celebrate UNSC Resolution 1325, may we renew efforts to find them.” The UN estimates that about 80 per cent of people displaced by conflict or human rights violations are women and children. The PSC has taken steps to mainstream women in peace processes but much remains to be done, Bineta Diop, Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security pointed out that: “There is no woman leader of any armed rebellion in Africa. Women are peace leaders.” The AU Commissioner for Peace and Security, Ambassador Smail Chergui acknowledged that armed conflicts have a disproportionate impact on women and said it is imperative to involve more women in conflict resolution and peacebuilding. The peace-keepers’ closed door deliberations concluded on 23 May with the celebration of 15 years since the adoption of UNSCR 1325, which lays

an obligation “on all parties to armed conflict to take special measures to protect women and girls from genderbased violence, particularly rape and other forms of sexual abuse, and all other forms of violence in situations of armed conflict.” Early warning signs Chergui said the AU must work to ensure that early warning is timeously translated into early and appropriate responses to avoid loss of lives: “Our continent still faces many serious setbacks, which call for our collective attention. The AU still relies heavily on external funding support for most of its peace efforts. This needs to be urgently addressed.” The meeting, which also looked at ways of improving the commission’s work, took stock of traditional and emerging threats in Africa and Chergui noted, in view of emerging regional security threats, that “Standby Forces” of the central, eastern and SADC blocs have attained “full operational readiness”. Most crises in Africa are governancerelated and AU member states should facilitate conflict prevention, Ambassador Amina Diallo Djibo, the chairperson of the PSC told the meeting. To combat radicalisation and extremism, governments also need to be more responsive to the needs of youth, she added. Diallo reminded the meeting that the AU urgently needs to update its legal instruments to better deal with terrorism, transnational organised crime and human trafficking. War in Sudan At the end of its 510th session on Friday the PSC issued a strongly worded statement expressing “extreme concern at the further deterioration of the situation in South Sudan.” The PSC is determined “to take the necessary measures against any party that fails to honour its commitments and continues to undermine the search for a negotiated solution” in the oil-rich region of South Sudan, the communiqué said, calling for urgent steps by the UN Sanctions Committee to specify the individuals and organisations involved in acts of war to be so targeted. The Peace Council also confirmed on Saturday that it had requested the UN Security Council “to urgently consider the immediate imposition of an arms embargo” on all warring parties in South Sudan. The Ambassador of Guinea said afterwards that the Swakopmund meeting was a great success, “but more important than talking is action and implementation.” Photos courtesy: African Union

Ambassador from Gambia at the retreat in Swakopmund

Participants discussed ways to improve the AU Peace and Security Council's work.

Conference was a success, but more important than talking is action and implementation Ambassador of Guinea

PSC delegates

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News

Thursday, 28 May 2015

LC Models New Look for 2015

L-R: Jean-Marie van Heerden.(3rd runner up) , Winner Anzelize Godfrey, Lizelle Cordier and 2nd runner up Sidney Taylor Lizelle Cordier is an international model that has toured the world. Her career includes eight magazine covers and a billboard advert to name but a few. Through her highly successful career, Lizelle has various contacts at international agencies overseas who are always looking for a new face, and as a result, every two years Lizelle chooses a group of Namibians and tours with them to Europe for four to six weeks. So far Lizelle has given this amazing, life changing opportunity to 25 Namibians. Lizelle opened a modelling school in 2007 to train and prepare aspiring models for the international modelling industry with the help of her considerable experience and training, At LC’s Models, Lizelle trains not only young children but adults who wish to work on their posture, as well as take part in catwalk and photographic modelling, are taught the tricks of the trade. In addition, she hosts an annual fashion show in which her models showcase boutique collections. LC’s Models is not just for tall, skinny girls. Lizelle actually works with all shapes and sizes and welcomes plus size models, as agents are always looking for that something special. You do not have to be an aspiring model to benefit from the school, the classes include information on

healthy eating habits, etiquette, skincare, haircare, fashion and more. A lot of the students who attend would simply like to improve their posture or build their self-confidence. LC’s Models held a competition on Saturday, 23 May 2015 to find the New Look 2015 for LC’s Models. Eight finalists, namely Anzelize Godfrey, Jean-Marie van Heerden, Ruda Britzze, Tamlyn Mostert, Shaunelle Britz, Sidney Taylor, Azelle Nortier and Violet Geldenhuys were selected in December last year. Each model in the fashion show represented a participating local business and donned their respective business’s uniform or corporate wear for a trip down the catwalk. The finalists were required to give a speech about each business and were judged on their presentation. After strutting their stuff on the catwalk, the top three were announced. Jean-Marie van Heerden was awarded the third place, while Sidney Taylor was named runner up. The big winner of the night was Anzelize Godfrey who will be LC’s Models new face for 2015 and will feature in advertising and be the representative for LC’s Models for the next year. Lizelle Cordier would like to thank everyone who participated, sponsored, judged and helped to make this event a great success.

News

Thursday, 28 May 2015

NWU-PUK Choir will be visiting the coast of Namibia

One of the world’s foremost emerging uranium companies, Swakop Uranium, is focused on developing and operating the world's third-largest known primary uranium deposit near the town of Swakopmund in Namibia. We need energetic, self-motivated and confident people to apply for our roles and we regard you as our “Employee of Choice”.

VACANCIES ARTISAN ASSISTANTS (DIESEl MEchANIcS/FITTERS/BOIlERMAkERS/WElDERS/ElEcTRIcIANS) Location: Husab Mine, Swakopmund Reports to the Foreman / Artisan

To assist qualified Artisans in the performance of their day-to-day activities as per standard procedures in line with their trade. Key Performance Areas: • Provides a service in respect of assistance to qualified artisans regarding maintenance, repairs and replacements, in accordance with set procedures to achieve equipment/machinery availability and operations/processes and services efficiency. • Load and off load materials and articles onto and from vehicles. • Takes care of tools and checks for missing or misplacement of tools and equipment. • Co-worker Effectiveness. • Safety, Health, Environmental, Radiation & Quality Effectiveness. Requirements and experience: • Grade 10 with 24 points over 7 subjects. • 1-3 Years’ experience in basic maintenance as an assistant in Process Plant Technical/maintenance Field. • Code 08 Drivers License is an added advantage. Email: psujobs.eng@cgnpc.com.cn

c&I MEchANIcIAN (PlANT MAINTENANcE) Location: Husab Mine, Swakopmund Reports to the C&I Team Leader

The NWU-PUK Choir of Potchefstroom, South Africa will be visiting the coastal towns of Swakopmund and Walvis Bay at the end of June as part of their 2015 Namibia Tour. One of the PUK choir’s most recent achievements is an extended July 2014 tour of European and other countries such as the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Russia, Estonia, and Latvia. In Latvia the NWU-PUK choir were awarded two gold medals at the 8th World Choir Games in Riga. The conductor of the choir, Mr Kobus Venter, qualified with the degrees B.Com Chartered Accounting and B.Com Hon Financial Accounting at NWU in 2010 and 2011 respectively. In 2012 he received master classes in conducting in Kåre Hanken (Norway). After Kobus had completed his qualifications in Accounting he realised that his passion for the music world was too strong to resist. He is currently at the School of Music at NWU Potchefstroom, completing his final year of formal music studies. The choir will be presenting two concerts at the coast. On Sunday 28 June the NWU-PUK Choir will be performing at 17h00 in the German Lutheran Church in Swakopmund. Tickets, at N$ 60, are available at NamibI (Tel: 404827, Sabine). On Monday 29 June the NWU-PUK Choir will be performing at 18h00 in Walvis Bay in the Town Hall. Tickets, at N$ 60, are available at Flowerbox (Tel: 202733). On both occasions the Cgals Chamber Choir of Namibia under the direction of Wilna Liebenberg will be involved in the concerts and will be performing a few songs. The Cgals are in the process of preparing for the 9th World Choir Games in Sochi, Russia. Of their latest achievements are 4 silver medals at the 8th World Choir Games in Riga, Latvia, in 2014, and 97% for the Advanced Choir Examination of UNISA, an achievement which places the choir on the Honours list of the University of South Africa. The opportunity promises to be one of the musical highlights of 2015!

McCLUNE’S Shuttle Services

We offer a reliable shuttle service between Windhoek, Swakopmund and Walvis Bay that guarantees satisfaction and channels development on internation and local scale. Our vehicles have been branded and are easy to identify, Which expresses ownership and legality as well as professionalism. Bookings are essentail. Terms & Conditions apply.

We operate 7 days a Week Prices per person (one Way); Windhoek/Swakopmund N$ 220.00 Windhoek/Walvis Bay N$ 230.00 Pensioners Special N$ 170.00 Departures are as follows

Windhoek

Contact Details Tel: +264 64 221 713 Cell: +264 81 628 5010 CELL: +264 81 128 7916 email:mcclunes@mweb.com.na

Walvis Bay

To provide a maintenance service on instrumentation and actuated valves, including the installation and commissioning of instrumentation for production equipment to the highest standards for maximum availability. Key Performance Areas: Technical/Operations Effectiveness: • Monitors, benchmarks and evaluates technology in order to ensure continuous improvements; • Effects implementation of new equipment and systems; • Optimizes performance of equipment by monitoring the effectiveness and making corrective recommendations; • Coordinates and effects the monitoring, installation, services and reconditioning of a variety of equipment and instruments; • Manages and ensures technical availability to achieve optimal efficiencies on control gear/instrumentation, associated equipment and systems and ensures availability of critical spares for all proves control equipment; • Project and Administration effectiveness; • Safety, Health, Environmental, Radiation and Quality Effectiveness. Requirements and experience: • A formal Instrumentation Mechanician Trade qualification N3 or National Diploma obtained through T3/S4 in Control and Instrumentation field. • 5-7 Years post qualification C&I Mechanician experience in Plant Maintenance. • Experience in Endress & Hauser instrumentation, Rockwell Automation, solvent extraction. • Experience working with SAP PM modules. • Uranium plant experience will be a distinct advantage. • Excellent work ethics with a strong emphasis on safety and quality standards. • Ability to work with diverse cultures and have a tolerant nature. • Code B/BE licence. Email: psujobs.eng@cgnpc.com.cn

SAFETy & hEAlTh ADvISOR

Location: Husab Mine, Swakopmund Reports to the Superintendent Safety & Health Apply and monitor the implementation of the SSHRQ Management Plans and the application of safety and health systems and procedures in areas of responsibility. Assist with the investigation of incidents in order to identify causes and prevent recurrence. Inspect areas in order to identify potential hazards and make recommendations for improvement. Advise and consult with line management, employees and contractors on safety and health practices, development and monitoring. Key Performance Areas: • SHERQ Organisation / Development / Implementation / Monitoring / Enforcement • Inspections / Audits / Risk Assessments and Controls • Accidents / Incidents Investigations and close out • Education and Training • Administration Duties / Statistics / Reports • People and Performance Management • Professional Development & Growth • Co-worker Effectiveness • Safety, Health, Environmental, Radiation & Quality Effectiveness Requirements and experience: • Diploma in Safety/Health Management • Gr 12 Senior Secondary Certificate • Similar experience in a mining /processing environment: 3-4 years • Code B Driver’s License • Computer literate • Good communication, report writing and interpersonal skills Email: recruitment@cgnpc.com.cn Through its commitment to its people, the company offers a competitive remuneration package and the opportunity to work alongside some of the most experienced and dedicated people in the industry. Interested persons should submit their CV and relevant supporting documents to the above email addresses OR via our fax number 064-410 9001 OR or hand delivered to Husab Tower, c/o Leutwein and Nathaniel Maxuilili street Swakopmund by 5 June 2015. Enquiries can be directed to the Recruitment Team at 064 410 9000. Previously disadvantaged Namibians meeting the above criteria are encouraged to apply. Clearly indicate the position you are applying for as well as your name and surname in the subject line of your application email. Applications received that do not meet this criteria will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted within two weeks of the closing date of this advertisement and no documents will be returned. Short-listed candidates must be willing to undergo pre-employment selection assessments. For more information on the company, please visit www.swakopuranium.com

Swakopmund

Departure 1: 7:30 am

Departure 1: 7:00 am

Departure 1: 8:00 am

Departune 2: 14:45 pm

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News

Thursday, 28 May 2015

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News

Thursday, 28 May 2015

Is your Dad the COOLEST DAD in the world? Prove it in photos and WIN super groovy prizes

We know that every daddy is cool, but this father’s day we want you to prove it. To win one of the great prizes from our sponsors, simply take a photo of your daddy being super cool and email it to rita@namibindependent.com.na or upload it to our Facebook page.

Your Dad could STAND A CHANCE TO WIN a prize from one of the following sponsors:

A ‘Daddy Pack’ to the value of N$2000

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Entries open from 29 May - 18 June 2015 | Email photos to rita@namibindependent.com.na * Only open to residents of the Erongo Region

Think About This

Thursday, 28 May 2015

think about this... There are now 7.3 billion people in the world; with the current population growth rate of 1.1%, this means that in roughly 64 years, the Earth’s population will be almost 15 billion. Regardless of future populations trends, humans must find ways to survive and thrive in a sustainable way. Here are some heartbreaking photos to drive home that point;

A koala suddenly finds herself homeless.

Seal is getting it’s neck ripped off by wire.

Tortoise trapped by 6-pack of plastic.

Bird drowning in oil.

Albatross killed by plastic ingestion. Look at all that plastic!

Stork trapped in plastic.

He spends each morning looking for recyclable plastic that he can sell for 35 cents per kilo.

Surfing on a wave full of trash in Java (Indonesia) – the worlds most populated island shows the amount of pollution.

Oiled penguins – they will ingest the oil when attempting to clean themselves.

Bird in oil spill.

Girl walks through smog in Beijing, where small-particle pollution is 40 times over international safety standard

Mexico City landscape, 20 million inhabitants – concrete jungle.

Ken River Oil Field, California (USA) – exploited since 1899.

Child swims in a polluted reservoir, Pingba.

Worker cleans away dead fish at a lake in Wuhan, central China’s Hubei Province.

Landscape full of trash in Bangladesh.

A bald sunbear in borneo where major deforestation is threatening their habitat and health.

Young raccoon with fishing lure caught in lip.

Landfill in Accra (Ghana). Our electronic A family walks on a garbage-strewn beach in rubbish usually ends up in third-world Mumbai, India. countries.

Worldwide

Thursday, 28 May 2015

Worldwide France Makes Food Waste Illegal

One third of the food currently produced worldwide is thrown away every year. To help prevent this travesty, France just passed new legislation banning stores from purposefully ruining food. Believe it or not, in effort to keep dumpster divers from attaining edible, discarded goods from supermarket shelves, some stores actually douse trashed items with bleach to discourage foragers. But the days of destroying in-tact and unsold food items are limited for stores in France, as the country has just passed new legislation which aims to prevent food waste. On Thursday, France’s National

Assembly unanimously passed a measure requiring all supermarkets 400 square feet or larger to donate unsold food to charity, for animal feed, or for farming compost. All grocery stores are banned from purposefully ruining food. “It’s scandalous to see bleach being poured into supermarket dustbins along with edible foods,” said Guillaume Garot, the Socialist deputy who sponsored the bill. Those market managers who don’t abide by the new regulations as of July of 2016 will be facing fines of up to $75,000 or two years in jail. It seems France is in a nononsense mode of implementing

This Lens Could Give You Superhuman Vision

Ocumetics Technology Corp claims to have developed a painless eight-minute procedure that would give you vision that is supposedly three times better than 20/20. The "bionic" lenses would give even 100-year-olds better vision than anything currently available. Does this sound too good to be true? Well, we can’t

tell, as it has yet to undergo any clinical trials. “Freedom from glasses and contact lenses is a goal that is now a reality,” Ocumetics says on its website. The CEO, Dr Gareth Webb, a Canadian optometrist, invented the "button-shaped" lens and has been working on the product for eight years of research, costing $3m.

progressive, sustainable change which will better the environment and ensure a healthier future for its citizens. France even just passed a decree mandating that all new roofs in the country either install solar panels or be covered with oxygenproducing plants. This latest measure is part of a larger bill on energy and the environment that aims to cut France’s food waste in half by 2025. It’s not completely set in stone, however. The lower house of Parliament will vote on the bill next week before it heads to the Senate. Food waste is a concern that affects every citizen, as one third of the food produced worldwide ends up in the trash every year. The United States is the worst, with about 60 metric tons of food discarded each year. Not only is food waste a travesty for the hungry, homeless, and low-income families, but it also poses environmental concerns. Large amounts of water, fertilizers, and fuel and energy used for transport and storage are wasted in the production of food items which unfortunately end up in landfills. And rotting, decomposing food emits methane, a harmful greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. As a collective, we waste so much food whilst 805 million people worldwide still unsure of where their next meal will come from. According to the World Food Program, 50 million Americans are food insecure – it’s not just in poverty-stricken countries. But France’s new legislation banning grocery stores from wasting food will hopefully help to reduce the amount of food being wasted, and in effect inspire other countries to follow suit. Source: www.trueactivist.com "This is vision enhancement that the world has never seen before. If you can just barely see the clock at 10 feet, when you get the Bionic Lens you can see the clock at 30 feet away," Webb told CBC. The procedure is similar to cataract surgery. It involves removing your original lens and replacing it with an Ocumetics' Bionic Lens, which is folded into a syringe in a saline solution and injected directly into your eye. Webb says that the specialized lens would also prevent people from developing cataracts as the procedure replaces natural lenses, which decay over time. "There's a lot of excitement about the Bionic Lens from very experienced surgeons who perhaps had some cynicism about this because they've seen things not work in the past. They think that this might actually work and they all wish to be on the medical advisory board to help him on his journey," Dr. Vincent DeLuise, an ophthalmologist who teaches at Yale University, told CBC. The Bionic Lens would make contacts lenses, glasses and laser surgery obsolete, Webb says. If they do pass those allimportant clinical trials, he suggests they could be available in two years’ time. Source: www.iflscience.com

Woman shoots herself in the head while posing for a selfie

A 21-year-old Russian woman is in a “serious condition” after accidentally shooting herself while posing for a selfie with a gun believed to have been left behind by a security guard. She found the 9mm handgun in her Moscow office and, while taking the selfie with one hand, accidentally pressed the gun’s trigger at close range. The woman subsequently accidentally shot herself in the temple, and was admitted to Sklifosovsky hospital in Moscow, where she is described as being in a “serious condition.”

The incident was confirmed by police on Friday, but occurred on Thursday, and police are investigating how the woman obtained the gun. The police in Moscow have said they believe a security guard had left the gun at the office two weeks prior, and was on holiday at the time of the shooting. The owner of the gun could face up to six months in jail for negligent storage of weapons, according to local news site RIA Novosti. Source: www.belfasttelegraph. co.uk

Motoring

Thursday, 28 May 2015

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Thursday, 28 May 2015

motoring

All-new fifth generation Opel Corsa in Namibia

Motoring

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2015 Isuzu KB250 LE D/Cab, 4X4, White, 4 000 Km

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60/40-split folding rear seats, LED daytime running lights, front fog lamps, air conditioning, 16-inch alloy wheels and colour-coded door handles. The range-topping Corsa 1.0T Cosmo is fully furnished with cruise control with a speed limiter (active from speeds above 25 km/h), bi-xenon headlights with cornering light control, an autodimming rear-view mirror, rain-sensing wipers and automatic headlights. There’s also a leather steering wheel, IntelliLink, chrome detailing, GRAPHIK black upholstery with Morrocana vinyl bolsters, RHUTHENIUM decor, silver highlights on the instrument cluster, interior ambient lighting, flexible cup holders and two seat-back pockets. The new range will be priced at: 1.0T Essentia N$185,900 1.0T Enjoy N$215,900 1.0T Cosmo N$235,900 1.4 Enjoy AT N$214,900

2015 Opel COrsa 1.4 Essentia, Yellow, 6 000 Km

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2012 VW pOlO 1.4 Comfortline, Silver, 68 000 Km

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2009 TOyOTa yarIs The new Opel Corsa has been introduced in a three model range in Namibia, featuring extensive upgrades. The new Corsa will be made available with Opel’s three-cylinder 1.0-litre turbocharged ecoFLEX engine, and will be offered in three trim levels namely: Essentia, Enjoy and Cosmo. The new Opel Corsa 1.0T Essentia is fully equipped with the new ecoFLEX engine and six-speed manual gearbox, while standard features include start/stop

engine control, a gear shift indicator, halogen daytime running lights, City Mode steering, electric windows up front, electric mirror adjustment, tinted glass, a folding key, 15-inch steel wheels, GEMSTONE black cloth upholstery, Gunpowder Grey decor, single-piece folding rear seats and a storage compartment beneath the front passenger seat. The 1.0T Enjoy adds items like the audio system and steering wheel audio controls, an on-board trip computer, an accented gear knob and steering wheel,

1.3 T3, A/Con, Red, 92 000 Km

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2015 Isuzu KB250 LWB, White, 7 000 Km

N$196 000

2015 Isuzu KB250 le D/Cab, 4x2, Blue, 500 Km

N$389 000

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2010 CheV CapTIVa 2.4 LT, White, 100 000 Km

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PHONE:

Standard with the new PremiumDrive Maintenance Plan. For further information on the M+Z Motors Finance and Insurance, please contact Janice on 061 225 401. Website: www.mzmotors.metjeziegler.com

M+Z Motors Corner Lazarett & Patterson Street, Windhoek. Tel: 061 371 000 M+Z Motors Dr Sam Nujoma Ave & 18th Road, Walvisbay. Tel: 064 203 792

GERHARD CARSTENS 081 129 3610 FRANCOIS DU TOIT 081 124 9867 OFFICE: (064) 203 610 *Terms and Conditions Apply