17 sept namib times e-edition

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namib times SERVING THE COASTAL COMMUNITY SINCE 1958 NO 6805 TUESDAY 17 SEPTEMBER 2019 Tel: +264 64 - 205854 / +264 64 - 461866 /Fax: +264 64 - 204813 / 064 - 461824 / Website: www.namibtimes.net

Unregistered accommodation outlets hurt Swakopmund hospitality sector Registered outlets urge municipality and NTB to waiver or lower rates

Early closure of schools due to the National Elections and National Clean Up Campaign

Isaac Chikosi

This letter serves to inform all the government schools two important issues.

Owners of registered guesthouses and bed and breakfast establishments in Swakopmund are crying foul over the high number of unregistered airbnb's. The owners of accommodation registered with Airbnb are competing unfairly against establishments who are registered with the municipality (fitness certificates etc.) as well as the Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) which among others are taking levies per occupied bed. The complainants wrote an official letter to the municipality of Swakopmund urging the local authority to waiver annual fees for fitness certificates, as there are numerous establishments not registered. A second letter was directed to the NTB requesting a decrease in NTB levies. Although not disregarding the NTB's efforts the past years to compel owners of accommodation establishments, specifically Airbnb's to register, the owners who complain say the unregistered businesses are unfairly

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Firstly, due to the National Elections which has been scheduled to take place on 27 November, the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture is directed by the Minister to close all government schools including the hostels on 22 November. However, schools management are hereby advised to make the necessary internal arrangements to compensate for the lost time with the support of the inspectors of Education. Secondly, schools management are being reminded of the National Clean-up Campaign which is scheduled to take place on 20 September. Letters to this effect were sent out on 23 August and 2 September. Schools should ensure that everyone participates in this very important activity to clean the whole school including where applicable the hostels. This activity can be carried our during weekends and can involve the communities around the schools on voluntary basis. Furthermore, all schools are obliged to carry out regular general school grounds cleaning as well as daily classroom and ablution blocks cleaning. A clean environment is essential for conductibe learning atmosphere. Finally, all school management should be reminded to take serious measures to prevent vandalism of school property at all times. The Ministry also relies on your professional input and support to maximise the remaining time in the best interest of all learners.

Petty criminals hold Walvis Bay ransom Eileen van der Schyff Scrap metal scavengers continue to inflict damage and losses to residents of Walvis Bay. In this latest incident in the central business district one of these scavengers broke off a water tap, leading to huge water losses and also the premises owner who had to incur expenses of several hundred Namibia Dollar to repair the damage. Community members at the scene on Sunday rubbish bins at houses simply to carry their stolen said the Namibian Police need to step up foot items. Many of these scavengers shift to the patrols in the central business district during central business district over the weekend where day time (seven days a week), as this is when they consume alcohol, harass the public. Many most of these offenses are committed. Despite live in empty houses in the central business police officers deployed on foot, petty crimes district and even the suburbs where they also and public menace remain out of hand. That can remove all fittings in the houses to sell as scrap only mean the Police is not approaching foot metal. patrols with a clear strategy in mind. In no uncertain terms these residents also called Walvis Bay is plagued by dozens of people upon scrap metal dealers to tighten measures to walking around by day stealing from premises curb the market for small metal items. anything from taps, copper pipes, house One resident also had what seems to be two very numbers, hose pipes, chairs and others. practical ideas: The latest trend is also for scavengers to steal Continues on page 2

Scrap metal scavengers are stealing off dozens of taps and metal pipes in Walvis Bay per week. The public wants the Police to take tougher action

The stealing of dustbins is also at an alarming increase

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Paratus claims the economic effect could have been much worse Page 3

Christian group on way to Swakop in horror crash

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Walvis Bay music artists scoop at the Nama's

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American NHL star notices and sponsors hockey player from Swakop

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