N$4
namib times
SERVING THE COASTAL COMMUNITY SINCE 1958 NO 6712 FRIDAY 15 DECEMBER 2017 Tel: +264 64 - 205854 / +264 64 - 461866 /Fax: +264 64 - 204813 / 064 - 461824 / Website: www.namibtimes.net
Jandré Dippenaar could just have walked up to us and said:
Pioneer of Walvis Bay’s ship chandling industry Maria Engelbrecht dies
“I am sorry”
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NASA’s Dr Japie here again
Erwin Leuschner
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Jandré Dippenaar, who stands accused of having killed six people in a horrific motor vehicle collision on 29 December 2014, has not made any attempt to apologise to any of the victims' family members, who have all been present in the Swakopmund Regional Court throughout the trial so far. “It's almost three years since I lost my family and he (Dippenaar) never said sorry to me to this day. Even if he is not guilty, all he could do was say sorry”, said Antonia Joschko in an exclusive interview with namib times. Joschko was 16 when she lost her father Markus Walter Helmut Joschko, mother Stephanie Schermuck-Joschko and her sister Alexandra Marlene Joschko in a head-on collision on the Henties Bay road between their vehicle and a vehicle with Dippenaar at the wheel. The family members of the other victims share the same sentiment. “He sits a few meters from us when the trial is on. When the court takes a break, he could just talk to us and say sorry. It would mean so much to us”, said one bereaved parent. The accident took place on 29 December 2014. Dippenaar is accused of having driven a white Toyota FJ Cruiser towards Henties Bay, when he allegedly overtook a vehicle at a blind rise and lost control over the car, crashing head-on into a
white Ford Ranger Double Cab pick-up in which the Joschko's were travelling. The FJ Cruiser burnt out completely. The people that died in Dippenaar's vehicle are JC Horn, Dinah Pretorius and Charlene Schoombee. The sole survivor of the Ford Ranger was Alexandra Joschko. She and her family were on holiday at the time in Namibia. Joschko, like the family members of the other victims, have made a point to be present during every court appearance of Dippenaar. That required traveling from Germany where the now 19year old Joschko lives with her Godmother in Berlin. “After the accident I underwent therapy and after my injuries healed I immediately went back to school”, she explained to namib times. Currently she is doing an internship at a hospital in Berlin. Her dream: “I wish to study medicine and leave my mark in the world and help people.” Looking back on the accident that wiped out her family, she says that she received huge support, Continues on page 2
Truck overturns on Henties Road
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The death of Mrs Maria Engelbrecht at the age of 80 occurred in Walvis Bay on Wednesday. Engelbrecht was seen as the founder of Walvis Bay’s ship chandling industry. Engelbrecht arrived in Walvis Bay’s as a young girl of 18 in 1955. She was the founder of the first ship chandlers and also Portuguese market garden and Portuguese liquor wholesalers. A well-known person in the business and sport section. Also a very important member not only of the Portuguese community, but also of Continues on page 2
Locker vom Hocker
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Swakopmund wants to be asbestos-free Erwin Leuschner The Swakopmund Town Council has taken the decision to remove all asbestos from buildings and structures. Council intends to make N$250 000 available for the 2018/19 operational budget for the sole purpose of identifying asbestos “hot spots” in the holiday town and the removal thereof. The decision to make Swakopmund asbestos-free was taken at the last council meeting for 2017 held at the end of November. In the
minutes it states although many products manufactured nowadays do not contain asbestos, it is still likely to find asbestos containing materials in older
building structures. Asbestos has been classified as a cancer- and lung disease producing agent. It was a popular insulator and has been used for construction
purposes, especially as a roofing material. Improper handling, removal or renovations of structures containing asbestos may give rise to the release of very fine fibers which can remain airborne for a lengthy period. Once these fibers are inhaled they can remain in the body for many years, increasing the
risk of developing cancers: cancer of the lung tissue and mesothelioma, a cancer of the thin membrane that surrounds the lung and other internal organs. “Normally, it is expected that residents have to consult an approved inspection authority (AIA) to confirm the presence of asbestos and once confirmed to
arrange for the safe removal, storage and transportation of asbestos material from their properties”, it states in the minutes; and: “The added cost involved is mostly high and unexpected for residents and they may be tempted to do alterations or renovations
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An Educator’s dream
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