85 - 2 19 015

Photo: Hans Rack ...and still years telling it like it is! 2 31 August 2015 31 August 2015 3

Foreword

Occasions like this 30th anniversary help us to reflect on the fact that passion for journalism, in particular, and civil liberties, such as freedom of speech, in general, are indispensable to human advancement, including the pursuit of material goods.

HE people’s paper, the people’s since the paper was by then well-estab- undisputed fastest moving commodity. only by building on the tradition of The company, the people’s institution. lished as the most read, reaching most The internet is testing how journalism Namibian as fiercely independent, an TThere should be no doubt by now Namibians by any comparison. is practised. Our duty is to ensure that we inquiring institution and a defender of that The Namibian is that sort of national Thankfully, all those attempts have adapt to this new technology to continue the public good, especially in service of treasure, and for good reasons. been in vain, and only strengthened the being relevant to you, our audience, be- the poor and vulnerable. After all, as it is The history of the paper is fairly resolve to keep the institution independent cause freedom, peace and the pursuit of said, a caring nation is measured by how well-documented, but less known is of special monied and power interests. happiness can never go out of fashion. well it looks after the weakest members perhaps the fact that the very structure of Lifting that ban 10 years later was also Our duty is to ensure that every one of us of its society. the organisation that owns the newspaper a sign of political maturity and progress. should be interested to participate in how We draw our strength from the public is one of unique autonomy. Hopefully, those in power were starting we are governed. Only when people are at large, but specifically from ardent read- During three decades of its existence, to appreciate that the relationship between well-informed through news and analy- ers and advertisers who have trusted and The Namibian has earned the tag of “the news media and those elected to admin- ses can they participate meaningfully in backed us since inception and continue to people’s paper” through sheer tenacity ister the country would be naturally testy their destiny. support us in good or bad times. as a voice that is independent of polit- but crucial to peace and development. Part of our challenge is to keep The Na- We thank you for your support as we ical, commercial or other preordained It is during difficult periods between mibian a relevantly useful and innovative celebrate this massive milestone of turning interests. the media and those in authority that we news institution. 30 and we look forward to serving many However, the ownership structure of are also reminded about what we stand for. We can meet this and other challenges more generations in future. n this news organisation, known best as After all, power is fleeting. The Namibian, is the ultimate guarantor And those in power will always be of its independence. tempted to demand a pliable news It is registered as the Free Press of media, knowing that like any person, Namibia (Pty) Ltd, in essence a normal journalists are also seduced by power profit-objective business. But since in- and privilege. ception there was nothing normal about Journalism (free access to informa- it. Profit was never placed before people tion and free expression) is a natural and principle. antidote to the excesses of power and The organisation was started with, and privilege. Having journalists with for about a decade depended on, donor no principles is as good as having a funding (from as far as anti-apartheid brain-dead nation, a guaranteed recipe forces in Europe, to like-minded people for a people with no future. on the continent and in the country itself). Occasions like this 30th anniver- Perhaps for that reason, its founders did sary help us to reflect on the fact that not deem it fit to turn it over to private passion for journalism, in particular, hands. It was placed in a trust. and civil liberties, such as freedom of Unlike many businesses, not a single speech, in general, are indispensable individual can claim dividends when- to human advancement, including the Congratulations on your ever the company turns a profit because pursuit of material goods. the Namibia Media Trust that owns With Namibia being 25 years old, the Free Press of Namibia (Pty) Ltd, fundamental freedoms ought to be has no individual beneficiaries either. taken as a given, but we all know that The objectives of the trust are owning nothing that is so good and so impor- anniversary! a newspaper, strengthening journalism, tant should be taken for granted. We training journalists and generally pro- shall do so at our own peril. As one of your first moting the free press and that’s were Ask Zimbabweans, for example. the profit goes. Read history books on just about advertisers 30 years ago, Such deep-seated distance from any country on this earth. They will Woker Freight Services narrow, especially money-driven or tell you how quickly things can turn wishes you all the best for power-seeking interests, accounts for the for the worst. Thus, one’s rights, feisty independence of this newspaper. freedoms and responsibilities must the next 30! It has also enabled the company to fund be fought for, every moment. We public causes even when it was not able shall not allow complacency to set in. or guaranteed to make a profit. By many global standards, 25 to The Namibian is, therefore, a business 30 years is a generation. like very few others. It belongs to the The first generation of The Na- public that it serves. Those of us in charge mibian laid a foundation that, if of it today are only here as custodians of well looked after, is timeless. This a public institution, serving at the behest foundation of an independent news of you, the audience. medium goes beyond narrow and In this publication, put out to celebrate individual interests. The Namibian turning 30 years old, we It is said each generation has its highlight the journey travelled; from a struggles and that every individual stifling political environment under apart- has obligations to the greater good heid through to a difficult period where of society. even the government of an independent The team that is currently running Namibia tried to beat us into submission. The Namibian (which has grown In 2001, independent Namibia’s gov- from a staff of 10 in 1985 to more ernment banned state institutions from than 100 now) has a responsibility advertising in, and buying The Namibian. to strengthen the strong tradition by It’s hard to view that as anything but abuse adapting to a new world where tech- of state resources by people in power, nology has made news probably the 4 31 August 2015

I remember dissolving into tears when no-one was near. There appeared to be no future for myself or the rest of the staff in the then Namibian media landscape which was predominantly anti-Swapo

look back to the founding of The Namibian in 1985 with a sense of Iunreality. Hard to believe that the newspaper, now celebrating its 30th anniversary, made it through periods of history which taxed the resources of its staff to the limit. Back then, few believed we would make it. The odds were most definite- ly against us. It’s impossible to tell the whole story of how it all began, as it would take several books to encompass everything. But for the benefit of those who weren’t around when it all happened, I will sketch just some of the background which led up to today. The founding of The Namibian Gwen Lister reflects on the The support of former in 1985 was given impetus by other events in the media in Namibia in President Sam those days. Nujoma was also I had started my journalism career founding of The Namibian instrumental in getting in 1976 working on The Windhoek Advertiser with then editor Hannes The Namibian up and Smith. In 1978 pressure was put on running. Smith and the staff to adopt a stance less critical of ‘internal’ parties which had then formed the Multi-Party Con- ference, spearheaded by the Demo- cratic Turnhalle Alliance (DTA). The MPC, as it was known, was intent friend, Dave Smuts, we started work on a settlement which excluded the on a project proposal to try and get liberation movement, Swapo. funding for such a newspaper. He and Refusing to bow to political pres- I worked under cover of night at a sure at the time, Smith, myself and a local law firm Lorenz & Bone where few other staff members left the Wind- he was employed, to finalise it. Once hoek Advertiser, and within a week, completed, the proposal was ready in fact on 4 May 1978 (the day on to go out to prospective donors. But which South African apartheid forces there was a hitch. I could not travel. bombed the Cassinga refugee camp in I had been denied a passport and was Angola) brought out the first edition confined to the Windhoek magisterial of the weekly Windhoek Observer. district where I had to report to the The Observer soon became a force police station several times a week as to be reckoned with in then South a result of yet more charges against West Africa’s media landscape. It me in terms of the Official Secrets could be said that Smithy’s penchant Act and other draconian SA security for stories about sex and crime and legislation. This event which led to his infamous back page nudes sold this situation, later caused much hi- the newspaper to white readers, while larity, although it was not particularly my political writing, covering Swapo humorous to me at the time. events and critical of the status quo, While working on the plan to start appealed more to a black readership. a newspaper, I had been perplexed But pressure was brought to bear by the sudden disappearance of mail and the Observer was banned by from my mailbox. After having in- South African authorities, primarily formed the Postmaster General who because of my reports on the abortive promised to investigate, I received May 1984 Lusaka Independence a big brown envelope a few days Talks (my ‘crime’ was apparently later addressed to the Postmaster because I depicted Swapo with a General at my address. I presumed it human face), but also because of was a mistake and opened it. Inside, Smith’s ‘yellow’ journalism. covered with a seal and ‘top secret’ Managing to raise funds from stamped in red letters, was an order abroad to appeal the ban, I trav- That same year I had also been Security Act would have meant I ence, which would reveal the human for the interception of all my incom- elled to Pretoria with lawyers Peter arrested at Jan Smuts (OR Tambo) would not be permitted to start a atrocities taking place at the hands ing and outgoing mail “for reasons Koep and the late Bryan O’Linn, airport on my return from a UN newspaper, something I soon began of South African forces, and which of state security”. where we succeeded in having the conference in Paris. Documents contemplating. would train Namibian journalists. Progressive South African poli- banning order overturned by the in my possession, including the But at the time the outlook seemed It was to take over a year for the ticians had long been arguing that Publications Appeal Board. It was Swapo constitution and political pro- bleak. I remember dissolving into idea to come to fruition. During this the mail of political opponents to to be the beginning of the end for gramme, and others, were confiscat- tears when no-one was near. There time the rest of the former Observer apartheid had been intercepted all me at the Observer. The authorities ed, and I was subsequently charged appeared to be no future for myself staff and myself were ‘blacklisted’ along, but the authorities continued began to close in. Smith and his new under the Internal Security Act. or the rest of the staff in the then and there was little chance of most of to deny this and proof was hard to business partner chose promises I was fortunately later acquitted Namibian media landscape, which us getting alternative employment. I find. And suddenly, the proof was of advertising over my political on the charges in court in Kempton was predominantly anti-Swapo. eked out a living as a part-time cor- in my hands. reporting which they regarded as Park, South Africa, primarily due to But then the idea to start another respondent for the BBC and Bishop I was on my way to a press con- the cause of the ban, and so to cut a a superb legal defence mounted by newspaper began to take root – one James Kauluma of the Anglican ference at the time, and on arrival long story short, I was demoted as Dave Smuts, Jeremy Gauntlett and which would represent the aspira- Church helped me with an affordable started to distribute copies of the political editor, the staff objected, and Ian Farlam. It was a critical time. tions of the people of Namibia for home. It was a dark period for us all. mail interception order. Journalists we all walked out in protest in 1984. A conviction under the Internal self determination and independ- Enlisting the aid of lawyer and immediately rushed back to their 31 August 2015 5

The message to us was becoming abundantly clear: this would be no easy ride. Each step of the newspaper’s development would be dogged by resistance from the authorities, who would try to close us down at every opportunity. offices to file on this ‘scoop’. McNamara decided to take a chance It wasn’t long before the security on us, and rented us the bottom floor police went into action, visiting of his beautiful old building in Love all the journalists in question and Street. confiscating copies of the mail Little did he know at the time that interception letter on the grounds he was in for hard times ahead when that it had been marked ‘top secret’ his support for our venture would be and was therefore not for public taxed to the limit. consumption. All references to the Having succeeded in getting prem- document were subsequently cen- ises, we set about getting equipment sored in the newspapers, both local and staff and to prepare for the launch and South African, and including a of The Namibian. The choice of report in the then Rand Daily Mail. I name was not a difficult one. A few heard from colleagues that the secu- concepts were thrown around but rity police were looking for me, and we were all in favour of the name Above: INCOMMUNICADO made plans for my son to be picked we knew would eventually replace’ ... The telex machines and fax up from crèche, anticipating what South West Africa’, namely Namibia. machine in the reception also fell was to happen. As predicted, the Again, this was perceived at the victim to the 1990 firebombing of security police, including colonel The Namibian’s offices. ‘Foffie’ Badenhorst, arrived to pick me up at home, and arrested me under the Official Secrets Act. I was jailed for a few days and later charged. The first edition of My passport was confiscated, I was The Namibian went confined to Windhoek and had to Left: HARD HIT ... News editor report to the police station several to press in the early Jean Sutherland examines the times a week. hours of the morning charred remains of the newsdesk. I later heard there were a number Despite the devastation of the at- of red faces in the SA government of 30 August 1985, tack in the early hours of Sunday at the time over what one South Af- the staff having morning, the newspaper was on rican newspaper voted the ‘blunder the streets on Monday. of the year’. The postmaster had finished it only instituted an inquiry after my mail minutes before the went missing, himself well aware that it was being intercepted by the deadline. security police, and had informed Security Police HQ in Pretoria to provide authorisation, which they time as a political decision, as indeed did. But in their hurry to get it off to it was. The name ‘Namibia’ incensed him, they posted it to me by mistake! the then authorities as it represented It was for this reason I was unable everything the Swapo liberation The few advertisers we had at the to travel abroad with the proposal movement stood for and it immedi- start, quickly dwindled in the months for funding of the newspaper. Dave ately slotted the newspaper into this following publication. In some cases Smuts went instead. category of political thinking. SADF officials would visit certain The mail incident was just one of As far as the founding staff were prominent businesses in town, many that were calculated to pre- concerned, I had promised the former threatening that if they did not stop vent the founding of the proposed staff of the Observer who had walked advertising in The Namibian, they newspaper from going ahead. Later, out because of me, that they would would suffer the consequences. Few once Dave’s trip abroad met with have the first shot at jobs when the were prepared to resist and informed success and we were able to negotiate newspaper got off the ground. By us that they had no choice under the start-up funding from the European then some of them had left town or circumstances. Most capitulated, but Community, which meant the news- found other employment but Mbat- some remained loyal advertisers even paper could get off the ground, a jiua Ngavirue, Dave Salmon and in the face of this intimidation. decision by the interim government Gail Visagie were three of those who Soon too our premises came under Cabinet to levy a R20 000 deposit joined The Namibian at its inception. attack, and after a number of shoot- on the newspaper presented us with Other new staff members, such as ing incidents, when the front faÇade a serious financial setback right Chris Shipanga, Rajah Munamava Although no easy task, we were of The Namibian’s premises were at the start. However, we paid up and others, were recruited. We began proud to have moved from a position destroyed by unknown attackers, while challenging the legitimacy of with a staff of 10. More joined us we were forced to put in bombproof the deposit in court and finally won later. We prepared for the launch of of donor dependency to self- glass. But for many years, even these the case. The Namibian on 30 August 1985 sufficiency and we were probably the reinforced windows bore the battle The support of former President with a series of what are known as scars of attacks. An alarm system Sam Nujoma was also instrumental ‘dummy’ or practice runs in news- only newspaper in southern Africa caused more trouble than it was in getting The Namibian up and paper parlance, which had us all which succeeded in doing so. worth. On many occasions, in the running. All outside funding which working into the early hours of the early hours of the morning, I would entered Namibia at the time needed morning. But a sense of camaraderie have to go down to the offices when to carry the approval of Swapo, and quickly developed among us, and in the alarm went off, only to find, on Nujoma supported our funding ap- the face of the harassment and smear per’s development would be dogged print run of 10 000 sold out and my arrival, hordes of policemen and plication. Other donors, mainly from campaigns that followed, we soon be- by resistance from the authorities, celebration was the order of the day. members of Koevoet smirking at me, Nordic countries, also assisted the came a very close-knit team indeed. who would try to close us down at But in the weeks, months and years in the midst of smear pamphlets that newspaper at a later stage. We prepared to launch with posters every opportunity. that followed, we had to deal with had been thrown in their thousands But again, there were more set- which proclaimed ‘Independence The first edition of The Namibian one obstacle after another. When around town. backs prior to publication. We battled Is Coming’ and which featured the went to press in the early hours of reports in the newspaper were not Often these were obscene pam- to get premises in Windhoek. One new red and black masthead of the the morning of 30 August 1985, the to the liking of the South African phlets, and I had no reason other than door after another closed in the face newspaper, much the same as it is staff having finished it only min- authorities, shop owners, particu- to believe the police themselves were of a newspaper which did not have today. Many of them were torn down utes before the deadline. Although larly in the northern areas, were responsible for their distribution. the sanction of the then South African just minutes after they were put up. exhausted, we were all too excited instructed not to put it out for sale. Others were ‘death lists’ featuring the authorities. The message to us was becoming to sleep, and waited anxiously for it In other areas, entire editions were names of prominent ‘white’ activists Finally, when despair was begin- abundantly clear: this would be no to come off the press and monitor confiscated, and people seen reading at the time, including myself, Anton ning to set in, local architect Kerry easy ride. Each step of the newspa- reactions to the publication. The The Namibian were often targeted. Lubowski and Dave Smuts. 6 31 August 2015

Post-independence In 2011, keeping a brought with it new promise I had made challenges. A ban at the founding of on government the newspaper in advertising in and 1985, I handed purchase of the over the reins to a newspaper in 2001 more youthful editor, by former President Tangeni Amupadhi, Sam Nujoma – on to shape the future of grounds of the The Namibian and to newspaper’s ‘anti- guard and cherish the government’ stance ethos of independent – was later rescinded reporting. by his successor, President Hifikepunye Pohamba.

On the night of Anton Lubowski’s I recall going up north to cover we published a front page photograph African rule in Namibia. in southern Africa which succeeded assassination, while we frantically an event, virtually risking my life of the bodies of Swapo fighters Independence later brought relief in doing so. went to work redoing the front page photographing the security forces strapped to the sides of Casspirs, for those of us who suffered for the Post independence brought with it in the wake of this shock news, in their Casspirs, only to return and with an accompanying comment cause of press freedoms heralding new challenges. A ban on government someone called the offices, warning find that my camera had contained by police that they would never do a Constitution guaranteeing press advertising in and purchase of the me that ‘you’re next’. no film! Also on a trip up North, such a thing! freedom and free speech. Or so we newspaper in 2001 by former Pres- The attacks on the offices took reporter Chris Shipanga and pho- The list of the different types of thought. It was then with some dis- ident Sam Nujoma – on grounds of several forms and dirty tricks against tographer John Liebenberg were harassment faced by the staff was belief that in 1990 I received a call in the newspaper’s ‘anti-government’ us were the order of the day in stopped at a roadblock and dexedrine endless, and our presence at Swapo the early hours of the morning from stance – was later rescinded by his pre-independent Namibia. tables (purple hearts) were found in rallies usually sparked army and the fire brigade to tell us the offices successor, President Hifikepunye Tear gas was put into our air con- Shipanga’s camera bag. Since this Koevoet units to turn on us with their were burning. On arrival at our new Pohamba in 2011. ditioning; on several occasions the was an obvious plant, the case was guns and rubber bullets and teargas. premises in John Meinert Street, Independence also brought about offices were firebombed, at one time thrown out of court at a subsequent After fleeing security forces at one where the premises of The Namibian a new batch of reporting staff, more they were completely destroyed, the hearing at Otjiwarongo. rally in Katutura, photographer John are today, I found the flames leaping brave men and women whose com- perpetrators having used slow-burn- Often such cases were of pure Liebenberg and I were quickly ush- high in our editorial offices. News mitment to the truth is not always ing substances which caused the fire nuisance value, Shipanga having ered into the house of one resident, editor Jean Sutherland’s corner was accompanied by popular acclaim. to smoulder throughout the night. had to travel on a few occasions to hiding in a cupboard to evade our particularly hard hit. And in 2011, keeping a promise When we arrived at work in the Otjiwarongo only to have the case searchers. This time the devastation was I had made at the founding of the morning we were to find the offices postponed time and again before it The cupboard, with us inside, was caused by a phosphorous grenade newspaper in 1985, I handed over completely devastated. But to the was finally dismissed. in perilous danger of tipping over at attack by white right-wingers tak- the reins to a more youthful editor, credit of the staff, we never missed On another occasion, after my the time! ing revenge after we had published Tangeni Amupadhi, to shape the an edition, working often under the arrest under security proclamation It was no easy road for the staff details of a coup plot to unseat the future of The Namibian and to guard most difficult circumstances and AG 9 for having published a ‘se- preceding independence, but I again new Swapo government. and cherish the ethos of independent inhaling noxious fumes in order to cret’ interim government document pay personal tribute to the brave After independence, donor fund- reporting. bring out the newspaper. But for all promising sweeping new powers young men and women who risked ing dried up, and after a few very This in turn gave me the time and the harassment, including staff who for police, Shipanga crouched in the the wrath of the authorities and even difficult years, The Namibian began space to finally develop the owner- were denied passports and given a shrubs outside photographing me their lives, to inform the Namibian ‘going it alone’ financially. Although ship structure of the newspaper, our hard time by the military and police, being taken off to jail, but he too, nation about what was happening no easy task, we were proud to have board and our trustees, and give effect there were some good times and lots had no film in his camera at the time! in the country against the wishes moved from a position of donor de- to the mandate of the Trust which of laughter as we began the learning Throughout, the intimidation con- of the vast military and propaganda pendency to self-sufficiency and we owns the newspaper. n process of newspaper production. tinued. An edition was banned after machine that characterised South were probably the only newspaper (See report elsewhere).

Above: Firefighters putting out the blaze sparked by phosphorous grenades during the 1990 firebombing of The Namibian’s offices.

Right: Surveying the aftermath of the attack.

Left: A section of the damaged wall next to Jean Sutherland’s desk was framed as a reminder of the attack and a symbol of our fighting spirit. It can be seen behind Tangeni Amupadhi (then senior political reporter), Sutherland and Christof Maletsky (then assistant news editor), discuss a story. Amupadhi is now CEO of The Namibian and Maletsky is the managing editor. 31 August 2015 7

LEGENDS ... The founding staff of The Namibian when it started on 30 August 1985. Back row from left to right: Dudley Viall, Dave Salmon, Marenga Marenga, Gail Visagie, Rajah Munamava and Sue Cullinan. Front row left to right: Chris Shipanga, Ingrid Mu- joro, Gwen Lister and Mbatjiua Ngavirue.

Extracts from the Founding Editorial

The founding editorial in the first edition of The Namibian, which was published on 30 August 1985, still remain relevant today.

Some of the extracts are reproduced below:

The Namibian is an independent newspaper committed to independence for Namibia. The newspaper will follow an independent editorial policy and will strive to achieve a greater flow of information and open debate ..... At the core of our commitment, is the belief that Namib- ians have the right to know; the right to be informed both about themselves and the world at large. By displaying editorial independence with honest and realistic reporting, we hope to contribute to a free and vigorous press for Namibia ... We emphasise that our editorial policy is an independent one. We are at the beck and call of no political party or propaganda machine, but we believe very strongly in, and will strive for, an internationally acceptable settlement in Namibia and one that enjoys the support of the majority of the population here. We will, therefore, work towards the implementation of the United Nations independence plan, which has been accepted by the world abroad, the South African gov- ernment and other major parties in the Namibia dispute. We know that this commitment will not necessarily earn ourselves popularity in certain quarters, but we can see no alternative to the holding of free and fair elections in the country. At the same time, we wish to emphasise that the success of The Namibian will depend on its acceptance by the population as a whole. We do not aim at any single group or sector, but the country in general. We want to entrench ourselves among the Namibians, and become part of their lives. We do, however, feel that it is the majority of the population, the 60% of Namibians who are beyond the 19th parallel, who need us most. These are the people in the far north, those whose daily lives are rent asunder by the war and who are subject to dusk-to-dawn curfews, increasing militarisation and denial of fundamental rights, such as freedom of movement. But we believe that their need to be informed is not incompatible with the needs of other Namibians, particularly those who wish to see an end to the war and a peaceful future accompanied by stability and self-sufficiency. We also feel Namibians should be conscious that they are a part of Africa and hopefully a country which will one day set an example, both to Africa and the rest of the world. We have no doubt that there will be difficult times ahead, that it will not always be a smooth path which the newspaper has to tread, but we are optimistic, in the long run, that critics of the newspaper will see that we have the interests of Namibians at heart and that our goal is an independent, prosperous country, which can take its rightful place among the nations of the world. n 8 31 August 2015

The best in medical aid fund 20 years of excellence

Why NHP: • Comprehensive benefit options designed to cover your healthcare needs. • NHP provides for the healthcare needs of more than 50,000 beneficiaries. • Low-claims incentive via the Roll-Over benefit. • NHP’s Wellness Programme – Empowers members to take ownership of their health and well-being. • Rated as the most efficient medical aid fund by healthcare providers.

5 x PMR Diamond award winner Join NHP Now!

tel +264 61 285 5400 email [email protected] We’re about you website www.nhp.com.na 31 August 2015 9

WOERMANN BROCK would like to congratulate THE NAMIBIAN on their 30th Birthday 10 31 August 2015 Deadlines never die

Jean, you still at the office? Kandara’s been shot … he’s lying bleeding outside the police station.

• JEAN SUTHERLAND Jean Sutherland has been with The Namibian for 25 he newsroom is deserted, the years. For over two decades, she was the news editor. TV flickering in the back- She recalls a few of the historic frontline moments and Tground. Beyond The Namib- shares anecdotes about some of the untold human stories ian’s windows, city lights dance in behind the headlines. the night-time blackness. The last newspaper for the week is down, a long weekend beckons. It’s Wednesday, 24 August 2005. On Friday, 26 August, Namibians less Erica Gebhardt. “Have you heard duction team, Albertus van Wyk. will mark Heroes Day. Kandara’s been shot?” Phones continue ringing. Gwen LEGENDARY … Jean Sutherland, then news editor, at her legendary It’s been a hectic few weeks. The The words are barely out of her arrives within minutes. Reporters and desk. The desk was always a point of attraction for visiting news teams. unfolding saga of the court enquiry mouth when a second phone rings. other staffers bustle into the office to It was loved by primarily journalists (some, not all!), artists and architects, involving Lazarus Kandara and oth- It’s the editor, Gwen Lister. “Jean, see if they can help, if not to be part and frowned upon by the neat brigade. I think it was theatre doyenne ers in an investment fraud scandal has you still at the office? Kandara’s of the moment. Some had already Sandy Rudd who called it “pure newspaper theatre”. enthralled the nation. Shady deals, been shot … he’s lying bleeding been in their pyjamas, others had shadowy figures, Machiavellian outside the police station.” Within been anticipating the weekend at a intrigue with tentacles that extend to nanoseconds all the phones in the popular drinking hole. The shot that the heart of political power. newsroom are ringing. Persistently. killed Kandara has resounded around Each day throws up its own drama Each one demanding attention. It’s Windhoek and beyond. and produces a myriad of new details. a symphony of urgency. Within half an hour, photographer So much so, that we assign an extra In a flash we decide to stop the Tanja Bause and reporter Lindsay Print. We rush the pages to the printers Shock And Awe reporter to assist the newspaper’s presses and recast the front page and Dentlinger are back at the office. on the other side of town. court reporter Werner Menges. page two. Gwen calls the printers. I Everyone clusters around the pro- The newspaper sells out the next Dramatic deadline and headline It’s some time after 22h30. I’m lin- phone reporters and our photogra- duction computer. day. moments are the stuff of newspapers, gering at the office, checking e-mails, pher. We need to be on the scene We redo the layout, write the story There are nights when you hold but there are those events that leave surfing the web. Just catching my already. straight onto the template, carefully back the front page as a story devel- you in shock; those heart-stopping breath before heading home. The printers confirm they will choose a photograph. Done. On- ops, or extend the deadline for a major times when you all but freeze in Suddenly the shrill sound of the hold the presses. It’s on. We send a screen check. First proof. Double event happening outside your time disbelief. Kandara’s death was one phone cuts the air. It’s a near breath- vehicle to pick up one of our pro- check. Second proof. Triple check. zone. Stopping the presses is rare. of them. Even today it remains difficult to comprehend the sheer scale and impact of ‘9/11’. Images from the terror attack on New York’s Twin Towers in 2001 remain seared in our memories. In Namibia, the Caprivi secession uprising in 1999 came like a bolt out of the blue, sending shockwaves across a nation not yet 10 years old. As did the 1990 firebombing by right-wingers of The Namibian’s offices after the newspaper had un- covered a counter-revolutionary plot to unseat Namibia’s new government. Another “where were you when it happened” event, was the heart-wrenching death in 1997 of Princess Diana, which touched Na- mibians along with people around the globe.

In Namibia, the Caprivi secession uprising in 1999 came like a bolt out of the blue, sending shockwaves across a CHALLENGING ... During the rainy season we had to navi- HOLD THE PRESSES … Our front page announcing nation not yet 10 years gate flooding riverbeds to get the newspaper to the printers. the dramatic news that Kandara was dead. old. 31 August 2015 11

It was not that long ago that newspapers could be produced only in black and white, with the occasional touch of spot colour. The next step was being able to use colour, but only on some pages. Even then colour photos couldn’t be done in-house. Negatives had to be produced, to size, by a studio. Not only that, it had to be done a few days ahead.

How Do We Do It?

News is vibrant and unruly. It doesn’t come neatly packaged. It happens at will. A conflagration of circumstances. The whim of a crazed individual. The combustible psyche of a cause. It is no respecter of journalists, personal time or deadlines. Producing a daily newspaper is relentless, akin to giving birth every day. And, come hell or high water, the newspaper must come out. ‘High water’ was particularly apt before the advent of ‘touch-button’ tech- nology. During the rainy season we had to navigate Windhoek’s flooding riverbeds to get the newspaper pages to the printers. Over the past couple of decades, the evolution of the way news is produced has been remarkable. From typewriters to computers, from having to develop spools of film to Graham Hopwood, then The Na- digital cameras, from landline phones mibian’s subeditor, now executive to cellphones to smartphones, from director of the Institute for Public the telex to the computerisation of Policy Research (IPPR). news services, from listening to the OJ Simpson trial verdict on radio to Positive Negatives watching the Oscar Pistorius case unfold in real time on manifold fronts And it was not that long ago that in the age of new social media. newspapers could be produced only in During the early years of The Na- black and white, with the occasional mibian we received our international touch of spot colour. photos by post once a week. Yes, by The next step was being able to post! There was no email. In 1992, a use colour, but only on some pages. young stringer named Christof Ma- Even then colour photos couldn’t be There was no email. letsky, now The Namibian’s manag- done in-house. Negatives had to be In 1992, a young produced, to size, by a studio. Not TESTING TIMES … On Thurs- ing editor, was sending handwritten stringer named Christof day, 19 August 1999, startling reports by fax from the coast. It then only that, it had to be done a few photos of torture inflicted on had to be typed up for production. As days ahead. Maletsky, now The former MP Geoffrey Mwilima did international wire copy. Enter Frankie Fredericks, track Namibian’s managing were leaked to The Namibian In the newsroom, floppy computer right. It’s 1 August 1996. The Olym- editor, was sending close to our deadline. As we disks were the order of the day, pic Games in Atlanta, Georgia, are in were putting the front page desk, they’ll never find them later to be replaced by ‘stiffies’. full swing. The star Namibian sprinter handwritten reports by together, editor Gwen Lister there.” For whatever reason, The frustrations today’s generation has had a stellar season on the world fax from the coast. It received a tip-off that the the police never arrived. Gwen experience with slow internet is athletics stage. He’s 28, a couple of then had to be typed police were poised to swoop maintains to this day that the nothing compared to the agony months short of 29, and it’s set to be on our offices and confiscate photos are still buried in one of a disk corrupting at the worst his last Olympic appearance. up for production. As the photos. The negatives had of my piles of newspapers, possible time. The nation is abuzz with excite- did international wire been shot but we feared that even though my desk now As the reach of the internet grew, ment. We plan ahead and decide to they might try and seize those occupies a different space. copy. The Namibian progressed to having hold back the front page for the 200 as well. Gwen’s immediate For the record, the photos metres final. This despite the actf that response was “Jean, hide were retrieved and are safely one computer dedicated to accessing them somewhere on your housed in our archives. the web and for email. It fell under it will be well after midnight in Na- the stewardship of the ever patient mibia. Depending on the news on the 12 31 August 2015

IÊ/"
9\Ê
69Ê/ Ê " / 1 -Ê Ê °,° °ÊIÊ 1
Ê
/Ê" -Ê7/Ê

ÊIÊ 
, // Ê
1- -ÊÓäÊ
/-ÊI

ÓÎ

9
,-Ê"

 * / , *",/  The US and its allies Another deadline, have launched air raids -/Ê/  Ê/Ê Ê/Ê-tÊ6"°ÊÓÎÊ "°ÊÓ£ä fÎÊÊÊÊÊ/1,-
9Ê "6 ,ÊÈÊÓään another phone call. on Baghdad and on It’s one of our top Iraqi targets in Kuwait "‡

t reporters. She’s in in what a US colonel tears. She’s been is describing as “the arrested and is being maddest minute in the held at the Windhoek history of the world”. Police Station. More than a million troops are massed in the Gulf.

>“«>‡
* /
Ê9"1Ê
,
tÊ°°°Ê1-Ê*ÀiÈ`i˜Ì‡iiVÌÊ >À>VŽÊ"L>“>Ê­ivÌ®]Ê ˆÃÊ܈viÊ ˆV iiÊ iiV̈œ˜Ê˜ˆ} ÌÊÀ>Þʈ˜ÊÀ>˜ÌÊ*>ÀŽ]Ê ˆV>}œ]ʜ˜Ê/ÕiÃ`>Þʘˆ} Ì°ÊœœÜˆ˜}Ê ˆÃÊ ˆÃ̜ÀˆVÊ day, it will be the lead or the second "L>“>Ê­Àˆ} Ì®Ê>˜`ÊÌܜÊ`>Õ} ÌiÀÃ]Ê >ˆ>Ê>˜`Ê->à >]ÊÜ>ÛiÊ̜ÊÌ iÊVÀœÜ`Ê>ÌÊ"L>“>½ÃÊ Üˆ˜]Ê"L>“>Ê܈ÊLiVœ“iÊÌ iÊ{{Ì Ê*ÀiÈ`i˜ÌʜvÊÌ iÊ1˜ˆÌi`Ê-Ì>Ìið are convinced it’s been seized by the ˆÀÃÌÊL>LÞÊ̜ÊLiʘ>“i`Ê>vÌiÀÊ >À>VŽ¶ ˜Ãˆ`i story. Whatever happens, it will be )3 YOUNG "ARACK /BAMA WOULD BE THE NEXT 53 0RESI Red Eye gang. The three young men (OCHOBEB PICTURED HERE THE DENT AND THAT IT WOULD BE
Ê
vÀˆV>Ê>˜`ÊܜÀ`ÊViiLÀ>Ìi]ÊÊ«>}iÊÓ lRST BABY IN THE WORLD TO BE WORTHY TO NAME MY lRST SON NAMED AFTER 53 0RESIDENT AFTER HIM !T NO POINT DID )
Ê ˆ>ÀÞ½ÃÊ}À>Vi]ÊÊ«>}iÊÓ front page. The momentous occasion ELECT "ARACK /BAMA DOUBT THAT HE WOULD BE THE in the vehicle are all sporting panga 9OUNG "ARACKS FATHER lRST BLACK 53 0RESIDENT AND
Ê /ÕÀ˜œÕÌÊLiÃÌʈ˜Ê“>ÞLiÊ£ääÊÞi>ÀÃ]ÊÊ«>}iÊÓ -ASILO (OCHOBEB SAID HIS BRING CHANGE THAT WE BELIEVE
Ê >“ˆLˆ>˜ÃÊÀi>VÌ]ÊÊ«>}iÊÎ will surely call for a colour photo. SON WAS BORN IN 7INDHOEK ON IN vHESAIDINANE MAILTO4HE cuts, the gang’s trademark hairstyle. -ARCH  .AMIBIAN YESTERDAY h7HEN ) SAW -R /BAMA (E ALSO SUBMITTED THE BIRTH
Ê "L>“>½ÃÊ>VVi«Ì>˜ViÊëiiV ]ÊÊ«>}iÊÇ DURING THE $EMOCRATIC CHAL DOCUMENT WHICHCONlRMSTHAT
It’s a gamble. Anything can LENGE AGAINST -S #LINTON THE BABY WAS NAMED "ARACK Ê V >ˆ˜½ÃÊVœ˜ViÃȜ˜ÊëiiV ]ÊÊ«>}iÊn The police move in and arrest the trio, happen. We have to prepare for all ) STRONGLY BELIEVED THAT HE /BAMA BACK IN -ARCH
Ê i˜Þ>˜ÃÊV iiÀʼܘʜvÊÌ iÊ܈½]ÊÊ«>}iÊ££ but there’s no sign of our reporter. Our eventualities. Two days ahead we concern mounts. have sets of negatives of Frank – in The youngsters say they’re related full flight – produced in three sizes: to our reporter and he’d given them standard, medium and large. We /i\Ê­äÈ£®ÊÓǙÈääÆÊ >Ý\ÊÓǙÈäÓÆÊ*"Ê œÝÊÓäÇnÎ]Ê7ˆ˜` œiŽÆÊ i‡“>ˆ\ʘiÜÃJ˜>“ˆLˆ>˜°Vœ“°˜>ÆÊ ÜiLÈÌi\ÊÜÜÜ°˜>“ˆLˆ>˜° the car. However, they have no idea write four possible headlines ahead. GLOBAL REACH … Two of The Namibian’s front US President’s inauguration, was one of only 24 where he is. As he’s missing, their One for gold, one for silver, one for pages related to the historic election of the US’s front pages – chosen from more than 600 front story cannot be verified and they are bronze, and one we didn’t want to first African American president, Barack Obama, pages worldwide (including the US) – selected for held in custody. think about, no medal. made it onto international platforms. The first (left), an historic poster published by The Newseum, On Wednesday, our reporter pitches On your marks, get set, go! Frank when Obama won the Democratic Party nomination, the interactive museum of news and journalism, up at the office, bedraggled and be- breasts the tape in 19,68 seconds to was one of 15 front pages featured on the Huffing- in Washington D.C. The poster, now a collectors’ fuddled on the back of an extended claim silver behind the US’s Michael ton Post’s ‘World’s Front Pages React To Obama item, states: “On 21 January 2009 these newspa- pay-day celebration. The trio in the Johnson. We throw the biggest photo Victory’. The second, our front page marking the pers captured history in the making.” car were his young cousins. However, across the front page under the banner he was unable to bail them out until headline ‘Silver Superstar!’ the next day because he still needed down in the newsroom, are having the office to finish the paper unable to we could not get her released and she to clear his mind. The Beast technical difficulties; whether it’s a contain my tears. Later, Gwen, who had to spend the night in the cells. n Another week, another Sunday. fast news day or slow news day, have had arrived back from the US within Fortunately, everything was sorted One of our production colleagues Until the early 1990s the main a headache from hell or the flu, or the last hour, calls to say she’s home. out the next day and she was able to and his long-time girlfriend have means of receiving news was via if it’s a life or death situation. You I tell her the sad news. She comes to leave the police station in the clear. broken up and he’s been drowning a clattering beast of a machine, the have to try and manage the moment. pick me up and we go to the hospital n Then there was a near week-long his sorrows. As deadline closes in, telex. A tame name under the circum- One of the most shattering expe- to quietly say our final farewells. drama in the 1990s when we thought we notice that he’s vanished. We stances. Night and day, it spewed out riences was in May 1997. Beloved one of our senior reporters had been look everywhere but can’t find him. reams of copy with volcanic ferocity. colleague Tyappa Namutewa, who Back Stories abducted by the notorious Red Eye Then someone hears “funny nois- God forbid that you failed to feed had been hospitalised 10 days or gang. He had been on weekend duty es” coming out of the toilet. He’s it. It was then not a case of no news is so earlier, had, unexpectedly, been n Another deadline, another phone and had been assigned The Namib- locked himself inside and is refusing good news. It was no news. Full stop. admitted to ICU. call. It’s one of our top reporters. ian’s red Golf. He fails to pitch on to budge. He’s distraught. Reason It had to be checked regularly. I had taken to going to sit with him She’s in tears. She’s been arrested and Sunday. Phone calls yield nothing. has flown out the window. He’s too There was no respite, not even over in the evenings after the newspaper is being held at the Windhoek Police Not even a call to Steenbras in Bahn- down in the dumps. We phone Gwen weekends. had been put to bed. Station. I immediately rush there. Her hof Street, at the time the provider and ask her to come in to see if she It’s January 1991. For weeks the However, on the cusp of deadline partner and the landlord have had a of the best hangover hamburgers in can help resolve the situation. Even- threat of war in Iraq has loomed on a Tuesday night a call comes falling out and the landlord had called town. On Monday our reporter still tually he’s coaxed out. In the nick of large. Wednesday’s paper is done and through. Tyappa is ailing, it’s not the police over an alleged dagga plant hasn’t turned up. A police alert is deadline time. The loo siege is over. dusted, production colleague Golo looking good. I rush to the hospital in the garden. The police had deemed issued. Production of the paper continues. Aoxamub is heading to the printers but his life is slipping away. At 19h50 it fit to arrest our reporter along with We start getting calls from Katutu- with the pages and I’m on my way he will take his last breath. I return to her partner. Despite our best efforts, ra. The Golf has been spotted. People Passion, People, Power home some time after 01h00. As we pass the telex machine, the bell Despite attacks on the paper’s rings, indicating a breaking news offices, arrests, bannings, threats and story. Again. And again. And again. more, The Namibian has not missed It cannot be ignored. a beat in its 30 years. The US and its allies have launched Not even the 1990 firebombing of air raids on Baghdad and on Iraqi the newspaper’s offices derailed us. targets in Kuwait in what a US colonel The damage wrought by phosphorous is describing as “the maddest minute grenades left the newsroom section all in the history of the world”. More but destroyed, along with most of our than a million troops are massed in computers. Still, even though we were the Gulf. bombed in the early hours of Sunday “How about it,” I say to Golo. “Let’s morning, we appeared on the streets go redo the front page. You up for on Monday morning. it?” He is. Prime time! The printers The Namibian has faced greater ob- are amenable. I type up the report, stacles than most newspapers, but the Golo does the rest. At around 07h30 paper must come out. It goes with the I’m woken by a call from Gwen. turf for any newspaper worth its salt. “Check CNN, Iraq is happening.” I Our journalists’ stubborn commit- respond with “Check The Namibian’s ment to beating the odds has been front page.” driven by a passion for people’s right to know, a refusal to be silenced. Heartache And Behind every deadline, every day, is Headaches the struggle to be a steward of people’s struggles and their struggle to make The reading public want their their voices heard, of holding power newspaper first thing in the morning. to account. They’re not interested in whether Since day one, serving the people you have personal problems or are Photo: Nicky Brandt has been the heartbeat of The Na- navigating difficult circumstances: mibian, our bottom line. Long may it whether you’re a reporter or two THE TELEX IN FULL FLOW ... The Namibian staff from left, Pius Dunaiski, Mark Verbaan, the late continue. n crowd round the telex machine in February 1990 as Tyappa Namutewa, Jean Sutherland, Stanley updates on Nelson Mandela’s release from prison Katzao and John Liebenberg. Kneeling in front is thunder off the trusty news machine. Standing, Conrad Angula. 31 August 2015 13 14 31 August 2015

People say: Listen to the nation credit where it’s due. The changes at gives us a very clear answer. Poli- nFREEDOM of expression in home affairs should be credited to the tics and self-enrichment. Sad but Namibia has gone beyond control. former minister Rosalia Nghidinwa. that’s the truth. – Waltraut How can you insult the President? Things already started improving If it was a white person who have PRESIDENT Hage Geingob. while she was still there. Go back Social Responsibility exercised the renaming, all mouths Please look at The Namibian’s to your own newspaper reports would be shut. Those people must dating back a few years. The media, nTHUMBS up to The Namibian face the court! Including the editor SMSes. Not as demands and including The Namibian newspaper, Newspaper Cup. I saw most of the of The Namibian newspaper. must stop being so blind and lying pressure, but the desperation Brave Warriors players through the to their readers. they express. regional teams. You really improved our football. The paper to turn to Robust interactions Educative nTO the person demanding for The nAFTER reading an article in nTO the person who blames teach- Namibian to stop showing how gov- The Namibian titled ‘Poor turn- ers and principals for withholding ernment uses our money, if you don’t out mars #Nu-#Goaes festival’, learners’ reports for unpaid school nIS it good using bad language need the information, why bother I would like to encourage the fees. Shame on you for running to through the newspaper like the reading? This is not a Swapo-owned new minister of arts, to appoint the newspapers and showing the word bastards in today’s newspa- newspaper. cultural heritage officers who nation how irresponsible you are. per at SMS of the day? would be involved in identifica- Instead of paying the fees of your nUNTIL when will the govern- tion, assessment and conservation child you start blaming the edu- n PLEASE, no homophobic or ment not use The Namibian news- of indigenous history and culture cators. To withhold a report only discriminating jokes in Ndeshi ‘n paper for advertising? There is no together with local communities. reminds us of your responsibility Jakes. Being gay is already difficult trusted newspaper in the country – Citizen RC as a parent towards your own in Namibia, so no need for an other- like The Namibian newspaper. child. Perhaps next time we must wise forward-thinking newspaper to Change your advertisement policy nALL ministers must assign their publish the names of those parents discriminate against or make fun of Mr President. If you can’t beat who do not even pay a single cent media people to monitor the SMS people’s sexual orientation. Thank them, simply join them. Take a for school fees? Every Tom, Dick columns of newspapers daily and you for the respect in advance. visit to all your ministries just to and Harry has got something bad give direct orders to those heads check which newspaper will be on to say about teachers. nI WOULD like to request The Na- of department mentioned in the each person’s desk. messages to deal with the matters mibian and all other newspapers to nI AM requesting The Namibian stop aiding people discriminating and report progress in seven days. nI AM appealing to your esteemed In that way, people shall be held newspaper to stop publishing ‘Have against Angolans in your rent Your Say’. Our new government classifieds. What if whites had to newspaper to make the public accountable and service delivery aware of misleading information will improve! have educated ministers and dep- advertise with ‘No Blacks’? Would uty ministers. The nation should you be happy with that? – Angolan appearing in other daily newspapers the unused SMS views. Such letters go and address their concerns to citizen on Wednesday, 13 May. Simataa, a nTHE arrogant sentiments of Enock are of real interest and informative the ministry offices because some Nampol policeman standing trial for Kamushinda by calling The Namib- to most Namibians. They will be of the SMSes are very unhealthy nI KNOW that The Namibian as a murder and attempted murder, was ian newspaper xenophobic is so thought-provoking and of real value released on bail of only N$2 000 and shallow. He must be informed that in public. Our leaders are losing liberal (perhaps neo-liberal) newspa- to many of your readers. not N$5 000 as reported. No condi- we express freedom of speech and respect and value. per believes in English as a uniting language for Namibia. However, I tions to the bail were imposed until the media has the duty to inform the nDID my SMS go into today’s nSTOP showing how our govern- strongly believe speaking as many the docket reached the High Court. nation of the news that is of public newspaper? interest, especially usage of public ment uses our money or is corrupt. Namibian languages as possible will The majority of the Swapo voters unite Namibians more than what nTO someone who requested funds. Your ‘beautifully functional ARE you still telling it like it is? I do not care. You are just irritating English only can do. The Namibian newspaper to stop bank’ was built with tax monies so don’t think so. All my comments on us the opposition. Why, why? We publishing the SMSes. Remember, allow the media to keep us informed Job Amupanda are not published. know they are corrupt but what we have freedom of speech and as your track record leaves much to Why? Do you support his actions? does that help now. Elections are Controversial you cannot buy respect, but you be desired. Please be fair. being rigged and they are buying can earn it. new Mercs. Unfortunately Swapo nGUESS what? After today I’m so nI JUST wonder, do the people nTHE Namibian newspaper: since convinced that reading The Namib- members do not care about any nCOMRADE Nangolo Mbumba, who govern our country read The you are the only public interactive ian newspaper is like shortening corruption. So, please stop report- the only way we can get the message Namibian’s editorial and SMS newspaper, please provide a space my lifespan, as they have snakes ing on this old story. to you is through The Namibian pages. If they do, why can’t they on your SMS page where the public featured in almost all their week- make things right? If not, I pray can suggest to the President who it newspaper. nTO the person requesting The Na- ly newspapers. Don’t they know it’s not too late for them to see the feels would be suitable for which mibian newspaper to stop publishing some of us have a phobia of those wrongs. We will rise up against ministry? This is vital and could the SMSses. Hallo, are you listening things? Please be considerate, this Paper Of Record corruption. We are the youth and help Namibia to move forward to yourself? It seems you yourself is no joke! it’s our Namibia, not for chosen productively. nWHEN I read The Namibian ones. – Alutah are not educated and do not know the vastness of your country. Hatred nTHIS newspaper is becoming an newspaper on Wednesday, I was Friendly advice won’t take you anywhere. Aawambo protective organisation shocked to hear that the DTA party Promoting Debate just like our government before was killing Namibians with impu- nPRESIDENT Hage Geingob, you nI AM very disappointed by you, Hage Geingob. Question anything nity. The question now is, which nCOME and engage your traditional should tell all government depart- The Namibian, for not telling it on Uutoni or any other Oshiwambo DTA was it? The one of Venaani authority. Hide not in the newspaper. ments, parastatals and non-govern- like it is. I sent two messages about surname and it won’t be published. or which DTA? So please, Mr Coward. mental organisations to stop con- how we poor constables do the Say anything in response to Venaani Venaani, either change the name gratulating the newly appointed or dirty work on the ground but yet and any other non-Oshiwambo of your party or you lose my vote. nNAMIBIAN newspapers are not re-appointed ministers and governors are not promoted since 2010, but surname and the newspaper is full. interested in readers’ letters or or even publishing birthday wishes general and his management just Was Uutoni correct in suggesting Readers initiate opinion pieces (apart from their for the President. They can do this sit in air-conditioned offices and government give politicians free regular columnists). Nowhere are telephonically and it will be well. travel around with S&T money houses and flats at the expense of stories email addresses for readers’ letters We, the newspaper readers, are fed instead of promoting us. However, the masses or why won’t you publish given. Apparently we send garbage up with that. They can use the money your bias newspaper never pub- this one? Erastus Uutoni, how dare nI NEED The Namibian newspaper that they are not interested in. Yet, to buy food for the poor instead of lished my SMS. Return my N$1 you ask that government give you to investigate a man who always sometimes we find our own opinion placing the advertisements, as we for now I see what type of paper and your fellow MPs houses or flats preaches at Havana taxi rank. Who pieces to be better than the regular are facing drought in this country. – you are, sies! while the nation you are supposedly is he? columnists. It is only that we are Ndashunye ...! representing is sleeping in shacks? not known or influential like the nPLEASE stop posting congratu- nAPPRECIATING Dudley’s car- Do you think we want to stay there? n THANK you The Namibian Dieschos, the Shipales, the Kam- latory messages for the ministers. toon ‘wanker’ in The Namibian Do you think you are the only ones newspaper for the St Boniface Col- wanyahs, the Kaures, the Smiths, We know by now their portfolios. newspaper. What’s with the week- who are paying up to N$15 000 a lege series. Now we know that hard etc. There is virtually no merit in These people must start working. ender though idolising the same month for rent? Do you think we are work doesn’t kill and is the key to what is selected for publication. The party is over. It’s time to de- ‘wanker’. The Red Cross and its joking when we complain about the success. Please do us a favour and Only fame! liver. We are starving. volunteers are the real unsung unexplained housing situation in our send Denver Kisting to the lowest idols. – RC country? Now you are claiming a flat performing school. Let’s see where nCOULD The Namibian newspaper nI LOVE Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana. or house based on elitism? I think they are failing and how they can consider putting a ‘weekend sup- In fact, she has always been my fa- nWHY did Dantago have to die? Namibia, next time we should vote be assisted. – HHF n plement 2 or 3 page insert’ in the vourite Swapo leader, but seriously, The Namibian 28 January. Anoth- wisely because these Swapo leaders Friday edition – to show many of the Namibian media need to give er story in the same newspaper have grown arrogant. 31 August 2015 15

MAKING THE IMPOSSIBLE POSSIBLE THE REMAKING OF THE LüDERITZ OLD POWER STATION

The project duped ‘phase ll’ focuses on the development of apartments, sea view shopping center, a four star 70 guest a university satellite campus, world class Maritime Museum, room waterfront hotel, medi-clinic facility, retirement village restaurants, sport/recreational facilities, luxury waterfront and entertainment centre.

“Driven by passion, a carefully crafted strategy for This is now being transformed into an attractive achieving sustainable economic development, waterfront space. Turning the problem into an innovation and leading the public enterprise into opportunity. the right direction has been our preoccupation. We are committed to the transformation of the harbor town of Lüderitz into the leading waterfront “We see each destination for visitors and businesses through challenge as the enhancement of its physical, economic and cultural assets. an opportunity”. We’re proud of our accomplishments and more than ever we’re excited about the future. We look Fluksman Samuehl, CEO A classical example has been our timely intervention forward to you joining us on this journey.” Lüderitz Waterfront and involvement in the major transformation of the Development Company (Pty) Ltd Old Power Station, located at the sea edge that stood for many decades derelict and an eye sore.

Lüderitz Waterfront Development Company (Pty) Ltd PO Box 78, Lüderitz, Namibia, Tel: +264 63 202702, Fax: +264 63 202030, Email: [email protected], www.facebook.com/lwdc1 16 31 August 2015

Congratulations on 30 years of independent reporting. 31 August 2015 17

In a landmark judgement at that juncture in Namibia’s apartheid history, Judge Harold Levy ruled that criticism of public figures was often likely to be stinging, and if they felt unfairly at- tacked, they had access to redress in the courts. Furthermore he ruled that constructive criticism was fundamental to a healthy democratic society.

Photo: John Liebenberg

UNDER ATTACK ... Former Editor Gwen exploded inside the building during the Lister and a Namibian Police explosives early morning hours of 5 August 1990. The expert survey damage to the offices of the offices were extensively damaged during newspaper after three phosphor grenades the attack. Landmark Judgement for The Free Press in 1986

hen The Namibian start- Eimbeck had been attached to the armed struggle, the newspaper ed publishing, on 30 Directorate of State Security of the would quite conceivably be banned WAugust 1985, it faced its National Security Council, a body by the interim government in the first, and most immediate, threat. appointed by the former interim future, and he therefore proposed The interim government cabinet government cabinet. the “maximum deposit” before decided to levy a deposit of R20 He was also a former member of registration. 000 in terms of the Newspaper the security police. The affidavit of the then chairper- Imprint and Registration Act. For Eimbeck, in an affidavit sup- son of the interim government cabi- most other newspapers, the deposit porting the payment of the deposit net, Moses Katjiuongua, also said it was a mere R10. by The Namibian, said that Lister was likely the cabinet would in the The Namibian immediately re- had made a statement on 26 August future prohibit The Namibian. He quested the interim government to 1985 in which she had said that the also maintained Lister’s attacks review its decision on the grounds newspaper would both promote the on the interim government cabinet that it was unconstitutional and implementation of UNSCR 435 and would adversely effect their polit- in conflict with the then bill of stand for true independence. ical integrity and credibility and rights. The interim government ‘True independence’ for Lister, lower their status. This was also cabinet met to discuss the matter, Eimbeck maintained, was a Swapo likely to “endanger the security but insisted that the deposit remain government in Namibia. He said he of the state or the maintenance of R20 000. was both acquainted with and had public order”, he said. In order to be able to produce the monitored the political point of In a landmark judgement at that first edition of the newspaper, The view of Lister from 1978 to 1985, juncture in Namibia’s apartheid Namibian was forced to pay this in her work at The Windhoek Ob- history, Judge Harold Levy ruled high deposit, but did so ‘without server and for the BBC, and that she that criticism of public figures prejudice’ on the grounds that the disseminated Swapo propaganda. was often likely to be stinging, matter would be taken to court in She had also shown she was and if they felt unfairly attacked, an attempt to set the decision aside. vehemently opposed to the they had access to redress in the The case of the Free Press of multiparty conference (predeces- courts. Furthermore he ruled that Namibia (Pty) Ltd against the sor to the interim government) and constructive criticism was funda- cabinet for the Interim Government discredited the leadership such as mental to a healthy democratic of South West Africa, is quite a Messrs M Katjiuongua, D Mudge society. Because people held a historic one. and A Shipanga, depicting them as government in contempt, it did Although the newspaper was fi- ‘puppets’ of South Africa. not necessarily constitute a dan- nally victorious in its bid to have the Lister would therefore “leave ger to the security of the state or deposit overturned, some aspects no stone unturned” in trying to maintenance of public order. of the case are worth mentioning. destroy the interim government He then ordered the interim One of the affidavits before court and discredit it in the eyes of the government cabinet to pay back was that of Siegfried E P Eimbeck, population, he said. to The Namibian the deposit of then with the rank of colonel in the As Lister was a proponent of R20 000 and to pay the costs of SWA Police. Swapo, which in turn advocated the court application. n 18 31 August 2015

The people’s paper did not compromise on these principles, thereby voicing and underpinning the desire for human dignity and rights for all. It promoted the values of independence. Guided by such fundamental coordinates, these (and the paper) soon had to stand the test of times.

Keep the fire burning

• HENNING MELBER emerging. Many among those, who liked to Robert Mugabe’s calibre. He is a man who maintaining values against all odds. The pose as revolutionaries (and continue to use stands for the pursuance of mass violence, self-righteousness claimed and practised images of heroic struggles for liberation as the ruthless elimination of deviating views, a translates into promoting intolerance and a OOKING back at the struggle and its their claim to power – such as the Founding clampdown and destruction of the independ- culture of fear, intimidating and ridiculing milestones, I vividly remember the Father’s pictured in combat suit on the open- ent media and the harassment, persecution others. It lacks the substantial moral and ethi- Lfront-page headline of The Namibi- ing page of the Swapo party’s website, as if he and even killing, of journalists in his country. cal fibre required to maintain true legitimacy. an on 15 November 1989. Announcing the ever had been fighting at the military front!) This is a perversion of what we claimed in Such legitimacy demands respect for election results for the Constituent Assembly turned into representatives of “the pitfalls of terms of our values when seeking to gain differing views as part of the lasting con- it titled: WIN. national consciousness”, already bemoaned political legitimacy and moving into power solidation of democratic rule. In her critical The half-page sized bold letters were print- by Frantz Fanon in the third chapter of “The to execute responsible control over the public assessment of the Russian Revolution, the ed in the Swapo colours blue, red and green. Wretched of the Earth”. sphere – public control that in its current 1919 assassinated Rosa Luxemburg insist- As so often before, the people’s paper had In no uncertain words, Fanon criticised the practices is misunderstood as the imposition ed: “Freedom only for the members of the once again adequately expressed the feelings abuse of power exercised by the party, which of one singularly accepted view. government, only for the members of the of the Namibian people. It documented the “controls the masses, not in order to make sure Rather, we should endorse, preach and party – though they are quite numerous – is joy and relief after years of sacrifices under a that they really participate in the business of practise what the iconic Nelson Mandela no freedom at all. Freedom is always the free- repressive regime, which used intimidation, governing the nation, but in order to remind stated in an interview with the Mail & dom of dissenters. … If ‘freedom’ becomes imprisonment, torture and murder to elimi- them constantly that the government expects Guardian – another flagship of independent ‘privilege’, the workings of political freedom nate unwanted criticism and opposition to its from them obedience and discipline.” Instead journalism in southern Africa – published are broken.” And elsewhere she emphasised: minority rule. The Namibian with its partisan of welcoming popular discontentment as “a in the first week of March 2001: “We must “Without freedom of the press, freedom of journalism was for years at the forefront of free flow of ideas from the people up to the welcome differences of opinion. They will speech, freedom of assembly, without the criticising the atrocities committed under government”, the party “forms a screen and always be there. One of the most effective free battle of opinions, life in every public apartheid rule. It had fearlessly challenged the forbids such ideas”. What Fanon critically weapons in dealing with different opinions institution withers away, becomes a carica- authorities and their human rights violations, observed since the late 1950s mainly in the is tolerance – the ability to take criticism and ture of itself, and bureaucracy rises as the at great risk for the courageous journalists new post-colonial regimes of West Africa not personalise it, even if a prominent indi- only deciding factor.” speaking truth to power. then, is not very different from the situation vidual is specifically identified and becomes In contrast to such views, many of our By doing so, the paper was a constant under former liberation movements now in a target for criticism. Tolerance is one of the political office bearers and their cohorts have source of inspiration and of information not political power as governments in southern best ways to solve major national issues.” turned the struggle for self-determination only for those at home but also for us who Africa today. Their equation of party, govern- Tolerance is far from dismissing devi- into an era of self-enrichment and a mutual were forced to live abroad. The Namibian ment and state displays striking similarities ating views. Neither is it indifference nor admiration club with despotic regimes. in its defiance of censorship and intimida- and makes Fanon’s warning anything but pretentious ignorance. It is the conscious Those who dare to remain critical voices by tion was a living document of resilience. A outdated. engagement with differing views. This disclosing malpractices and abuse of power testimony to the relentless efforts of those It is sad and worrying that our political hardly happens in Namibian society today. are considered unpatriotic and obstructive. who had remained at home to name and leadership these days prominently and pub- Instead, we find the we-they divide between Their continued promotion of values, once shame those violating fundamental human licly idolises autocratic leaders of president those holding and executing power and those representing core issues of our struggle for values and rights, seeking to prevent by all self-determination, is seen at best as a nec- means our right to self-determination. The essary evil one has to live with. people’s paper did not compromise on these Meanwhile, listening to the official praise principles, thereby voicing and underpinning of other self-proclaimed liberators who are the desire for human dignity and rights for paid respect instead of being kept at a critical all. It promoted the values of independence. distance for their human rights violations Guided by such fundamental coordinates, reminds me of a statement by Pieter-Dirk these (and the paper) soon had to stand the Uys, aka Evita Bezuidenhout: “Hypocrisy is test of times. the Vaseline of political intercourse”. Strolling through town ahead of Independ- In such times we need media of integrity, ence Day, 21 March 1990, I took a photo of who continue telling it like it is and thereby a mural poem entitled ‘Roses in Namib’. It speaking truth to power. We need the people’s was written on a wall in the inner yard of the paper as a source of inspiration as much today dilapidated Old Compound at the entrance as we needed it then, if only to keep the fire to Katutura: burning. – Viva The Namibian, viva! n

“Now that the Namib sings and the tear of the * Henning Melber started his professional Katutura child washes away career as a trained journalist with the All- who will keep the fire gemeine Zeitung in 1972. He is a member of Swapo since 1974, has been director of burning.” the Namibia Economic Policy research Unit (Nepru) between 1992 and 2000, research It was literally the writing on the wall. The director at The Nordic Africa Institute and buildings were soon erased – and with them executive director of the Dag Hammarskjöld the great variety of paintings at their outside Foundation, both in Uppsala/Sweden. He walls, celebrating the day Namibians were remains senior adviser to both institutions empowered to run their own affairs. With and is extraordinary professor at the Uni- them the wall and visibility of the poem was versity of Pretoria and the University of the demolished. But its meaning and warning did Free State in Bloemfontein. He has just not go away. Since then we were to witness published ‘Understanding Namibia. The the limits to liberation under a new elite pact trials of Independence’. 31 August 2015 19

10 WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 10 2010 FROM THE ARCHIVES THE NAMIBIAN

THEN … A front page of The Na- mibian depicting a badly tortured 15 year old Portus Blasius.

NOW … A happily employed Portus Blasius on duty at the Ministry of Safety and Security at Ondangwa. Although I was screaming very loudly, those merciless white devils I was shocked to go through such a painful did not care, and torturing. I will never forget that day. I will not even left me there in forget what really happened to me that day. the bush with much But, yes, we are now independent and I pain. hope not to go through that hardship again.

The Namibian on DVD! From Our Archives This year marks the 25th anniver- – we are running a selection of our As part of our 25th anniversary celebrations, you can now sary of The Namibian newspaper, front pages over the years. They buy a set of DVDs containing our 25-year birthday magazine, which was founded – in the face of appear once a week, on Wednes- as well as all copies of The Namibian from 1985-1990. considerable opposition – on August days. The cost is N$115 (including VAT). The DVD is avail- 30 1985. This is the front page of the 41st able from our cashier at our Windhoek office, or e-mail As part of our celebrations – and edition of The Namibian. your request to: because so many young people don’t The newspaper was a weekly until [email protected] the ‘littleknow the history of the newspaper it became stupid’a daily on April 1 1989. Swapo

• OSWALD SHIVUTE

ORTURED by ‘merciless white devils’ and left alone in the bush, Portus Blasius has Some soldiers started Tmany reasons to celebrate the peace Namibia to beat me up while is experiencing today. He was 15 years old and a schoolboy at Onhem- others pulling my hair ba village near Ombalantu when members of the held my face against South African Defence Force in June 1986 held his the exhaust pipe. face against the exhaust system of an idling Buffel armoured military truck. Their aim was to force him to open someone’s cuca shop and to reveal the where- abouts of People’s Liberation Army as well as his ailing parents and siblings, he said. He was forced of Namibia fighters. At 1986, Blasius said the soldiers arrived at the to unlock the “Although I was screaming very cuca shop belonging to a businessman from Omu- door with the loudly, those merciless white devils lamba and ordered him to open the shop. Blasius, did not care, and even left me there who was 15 at the time, explained to them that the keys of his in the bush with much pain,” Blasius owner was out of town and that he had no keys suitcase before told The Namibian’s Chris Shipanga except those for his suitcase. they grabbed at the time. He was forced to unlock the door with the keys and threw Recently, the newspaper paid him of his suitcase before they grabbed and threw him a visit at the Danger Ashipala Police into the Buffel. him into the Training Centre at Ondangwa where They took him to an undisclosed place where they Buffel. They he is employed by the Ministry of accused him of being a ‘little, stupid Swapo’ and took him to an Safety and Security as a cleaner. questioned him about Swapo fighters. Now known by the nickname “Some soldiers started to beat me up while others undisclosed Kaboy, Blasius had only praises for pulling my hair held my face against the exhaust place where The Namibian and the government. pipe,” he told The Namibian at the time. they accused In 2013, The Namibian re-pub- When he was left for dead, he struggled to a nearby lished a front page on which Blasius headman’s kraal but found no one there. When he him of being featured. reported the matter to businessman John Andjamba, a little, stupid The paper then searched and he was taken to the office of Peter Kalangula and Swapo and found a lonely, unemployed Blasius later the hospital. at his Okafitukakamba village do- Recalling everything, the former Anamulenge questioned him ing nothing. He was subsequently Primary School pupil said the SA soldiers suspected about Swapo featured in a story. him to be a ‘little Plan fighter’ and decided to torture fighters. The report prompted the govern- him – something he found painful and unbelievable ment to offer him the job as a cleaner. to see them doing that to him. “I am very happy to have work in “I was shocked to go through such a painful tor- the government. I like my job as a turing. I will never forget that day. I will not forget cleaner and I want also to thank The Namibian for what really happened to me that day. But, yes, we publishing stories about me, about what happened are now independent and I hope not to go through to me and also that I was unemployed. As a result I that hardship again. Although I will not forget, I finally got employment in the government,” he said. have forgiven them, as our founding President Sam He can now take care of his three-year-old daughter Nujoma had requested us to do,” Blasius said. n 20 31 August 2015 A visit to the dead

If you said you came • ROBERT S MELLIS to the mortuary with HE phone rang on Oswald the family of a dead Shivute’s desk and he received person and you saw Ta tip that the mortuary at the state hospital in Oshakati was full to the dead when you overflowing. went to retrieve the He said he would call the hospital to see if he could confirm this story. body, I could let you He talked with a woman at the hos- see this. pital whom he called “sister” and she said there was “no problem.” So he reported all of this to me. I suggested that we might want to get in my car and drive over to the mortuary to confirm if there truly was no problem. We arrived at the mortuary. Oswald, in true Oshiwambo fashion stood out- side, knocking on the door. He called out three times, “Is everyone well Photos: Robert Mellis within?” in Oshiwambo. He explained this is tradition. I explained that we SIGHTSEEING … Robert and Jo Mellis at Africat Lodge in Namibia. were at a mortuary and everyone inside was most surely dead. He thought this to be quite funny. We entered and came to the office where a tall man sat at a “If you said you came to the mortu- to come for their dead relatives with tall desk, something out of a Charles ary with the family of a dead person a blanket in which they could wrap Dickens novel. He was writing in the and you saw the dead when you went them. They must now bring a coffin. book of death the names of the latest to retrieve the body, I could let you Coffins are too expensive for most nine dead people. When he finished, see this,” he said with a sly smile. people, so the dead had piled up for he greeted Oswald and apologised for Oswald and I discussed the ethics six months. Now the mortuary can not leaving his book of death until the of this white lie. We decided it was handle no more dead, he said. task was done. okay, so the man eagerly called his We left the house of the dead with I was introduced and they chatted assistant and we entered the cold a great story, one which became the in Oshiwambo about the problem. storage chamber. There, he swung lead story, with pictures, in the next Problem? Oh, yes. There certainly was open door after door. We saw and day’s The Namibian. It also became a problem, the man said. He was the photographed the stacked dead. A the talk of the nation and eventually man who had to deal with it, not the man was on one tray, pushed in made it to the floor of parliament sister in charge of the hospital. He feet first. where the ruling party was criticised told us he was stacking dead people A woman lay on top of him, pushed for this state of affairs. The solution like cordwood in his coolers. in head first. It would be inappro- came about two weeks later when a Now my interest was at its peak. I priate to have both of them head to mass grave was dug and the assem- asked if it would be possible to see head, our guide said. bled dead were disposed of. n the stacked dead. “Oh, no. I could One tray carried three children, lose my job,” he said. I apologised with an infant placed under the tray. * Robert S Mellis visited The and said we would never want that It was an astonishing sight. We pho- Namibia three times as a trainer of to happen. Then, he looked up to tographed the dead and continued to Namibian staff members in 2001, the ceiling, puzzling out a course ask the mortuary manager why it was 2004 and 2006. The following story of action. He wanted the story to be not possible for these people to be appears in his book, Now, We Begin, told. He wanted us to tell his story, buried. He explained that the govern- which is published and available on his struggle, and his pain. ment no longer permitted poor people Amazon.com. NOT RESPONDING … Since they were all dead, they could not respond to Oswald Shivute’s call.

A Damara dikdik at Spitzkoppe. 31 August 2015 21

Happy birthday to If you said you came all who have served to the mortuary with The Namibian since the family of a dead its inception in 1985 person and you saw and those who the dead when you LEADING THE PACK ... The continue to do so, board of directors of the Free went to retrieve the Press of Namibia consist of and heartfelt thanks body, I could let you Theo Frank as chairperson to countrymen and (back, left), Gwen Lister (who see this. is one of the founders of The women who have Namibian), Luckson Chipare given their support to (back right) and Norman Tjombe (front, right). Tangeni Amupadhi the newspaper over (front, left), as Editor/CEO of The three decades. Namibian, reports to the Board.

The Namibian still going strong … 30 years later

• TUYEIMO HAIDULA – the two erven on which part of The Namibian The trust activities became fully active in Oc- sustainability of independent journalism through is housed. tober 2011 after Lister handed over the reins as a newspaper that is independently owned and ACK then, few believed The Namibian The NMT has a board of trustees: headed by editor to Amupadhi and took up the mantle of able to continue to ‘tell it like it is’. would make it as odds were stacked Gwen Lister, as chair of the trust, Theo Frank, the trust, and this move put the spotlight on the “On behalf of the Namibia Media Trust, I Bagainst it. But 30 years later, the news- Luckson Chipare (Zimbabwean) and Norman wider context and workings of the trust other would like to congratulate editor Tangeni Amu- paper is still going strong. Tjombe. than just The Namibian as had been the case padhi and the staff of The Namibian on achieving It has come a long way since it was founded The Free Press of Namibia has a board of up until then. the 30-year milestone,” Lister said. in 1985 with a handful of staff at the height of directors, with Theo Frank as chairperson, and “Since the trust is now financially able to widen She added that The Namibian has always South Africa’s apartheid occupation of Namibia. directors Gwen Lister (who is one of the founders its scope of operations, we are in the process of prided itself on a structure which enables ser- The Namibian started with a staff complement of The Namibian), Luckson Chipare and Norman investigating the wider activities of the NMT,” vice to the people rather than to shareholders or of 10 and it now has more than 100 full time. It Tjombe. Tangeni Amupadhi, as editor of The she said in an interview. profit without principle, an ideal which shesaid was launched on 30 August 1985 with a series of Namibian, reports to the Board. Lister said with herself in the role of repre- encourages all staff to keep close to the heart what became known as ‘dummy’ practice runs. WordPress Namibia’s board is chaired by sentative and spokesperson for the NMT, the what they do. The Namibia Media Trust (NMT) owns the Ulla von Holtz, and includes directors Tangeni trust is about to embark on a major advocacy Lister also urges editorial staff – in keeping Free Press of Namibia (Pty) Ltd, trading as The Amupadhi and Wolfram Jauss. project which will be announced in due course. with the vital role of fiercely independent re- Namibian, 100%. It also has a 50% stake in Lister said at the founding of The Namibian in Other activities, she said, include workshops porting – to continue to work in the spirit and WordPress Namibia (the other 50% is owned by 1985, she and Dave Smuts decided not to create and training for journalists, sales and support ethos of accountable, ethical and professional the Managing Director of WordPress, Wolfram an ownership structure with private sharehold- staff in general; public speaking and support journalism at all times. Jauss). ers, but instead set up a trust which would aim to a variety of issues related to media freedom, “Happy birthday to all who have served The Apart from that, the Namibia Media Trust to further the sustainability of The Namibian, free speech as well as access to information in Namibian since its inception in 1985 and those also has a 50% stake in Namibia Print Property safeguard its assets and reflect and promote the the wider context of democracy. who continue to do so, and heartfelt thanks to Investment (the company which owns the prop- values and principles of press freedom, free The NMT acquired property to house The Na- countrymen and women who have given their erty in which WordPress is located). speech and independent journalism. mibian and has invested in a printing press – and support to the newspaper over three decades,” The Namibia Media Trust also owns property The Namibian was set up with donor funding. these business ventures are aimed at ensuring the she said. n

We congratulate The Namibian on 30 years of excellent reporting.

As pension fund administrators to The Namibian, we congratulate Namibia Media Trust, Free Press of Namibia, Gwen Lister, Tangeni Amupadhi and all the reporters and staff of The Namibian, on 30 years of ‘telling it like it is’. As Namibian citizens, we deeply appreciate your contribution to our understanding of our country, as well as its press freedom. We wish you continued success, and the free flow of ink, in the decades to come. A Damara dikdik at Spitzkoppe. Retirement Fund Solutions Benchmark Retirement Fund Managed by Namibians. Trusted by Namibians. Efficient. Trusted. Namibian. http://www.rfsol.com.na http://www.rfsol.com.na/benchmark 22 31 August 2015

HARD WORK, SACRIFICE, INTEGRITY, PASSION, EXPERTISE, FLEXIBILITY, DEDICATION … AND A GREAT PARTNERSHIP!

THAT’S WHAT IT TAKES TO HAVE A HAPPY ANNIVERSARY. CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR 30TH FROM SUPER TYRES

• Tel: 061 - 262 991 | C/O Fidel Castro & Mandume Ndemufayo Street • Tel: 061 - 263 754 | 15 Dr Michael De Kock Street 31 August 2015 23 TAKING LOBSTER TO THE PEOPLE

Many Namibians are not aware of the different fisheries Our main focus was to create awareness about Lobsters and fishery products in Namibia. As our commitment and Lobster products found in Namibia. This was a to educating the masses about Namibian fisheries and good platform for the Trade Fair attendees to observe fishery products as well as bringing fish to the people in and experience the different ways of preparing and all parts of the country Seaflower Group of Companies serving Lobster Dishes. This added more flavour and was present at this year`s Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair. excitement to the trade fair and it will be done annually.

National Fishing Corporation of Namibia

SEAFLOWER GROUP OF COMPANIES Industry Road. PO Box 15, Lüderitz, Namibia Tel: +264 63 208 100, Fax: +264 63 202 414 24 31 August 2015

LINKING IT … The Namibian’s online illustrative video programme, ‘The Link’, pokes fun at and breaks down the biggest stories of the day. It’s one of several multimedia projects undertaken by The Namibian’s multimedia section.

The Namibian’s website has been an extension of the newspaper with all Growing online published articles, as well as an extended • JOHNATHAN BEUKES Namibia. The government-owned consume news. It also allows us the company. Previously the website archive from the daily, New Era, is reportedly also to instantly react to the news and and social media accounts were man- first paper in 1985, he Namibian’s multimedia investing in a new printing press. interact with other readers. aged by various staff members on a loaded on the site section, since its establish- Today most news organisations in Almost 26% of Namibians had ac- voluntary basis. Tment in 2014, has organised Namibia have websites and social cessed the internet in 2014, according The section is three persons strong since 1998. various innovative online sessions media accounts through which they to Vision Africa. and works with a few outside con- and produced new platforms and educate, inform and entertain. The Namibian’s website has been tractors. programmes for its growing com- Within two decades it has com- an extension of the newspaper with Other than the printed edition, on- munity of readers. pletely changed many aspects of the all published articles, as well as an line content had been free to access The internet in 2015 is pervasive daily lives of so many people who extended archive from the first paper since its inception in the late 1990s. but has not (yet) stifled the growth have access to it. in 1985, loaded on the site since 1998. With the advent of social media The of Namibia’s print industry. The Na- We use it to connect with friends In 2014 The Namibian established Namibian delved into Facebook and mibian this year started printing from and family on social media, buy a multimedia section which is respon- has been influential on that platform its own printing press, WordPress goods and services and, of course, sible for all multimedia business of garnering over 100 000 ‘likes’, all or-

The President of the Namibia Football Association, Mr. Frans Mbidi, his Executive Committee and the entire family of football wishes The Namibian a happy 30th Anniversary.

May there be another 30 years of “still telling it like it is”. 31 August 2015 25

REVOLUTIONARY TALK … Expelled Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) information secretary-turned- land activist stood his ground against a multitude of questions from the public during the #AskJob session. The hashtag #Ask- Job was used 1 389 times during the two-hour session in November 2014. The #Ask platform was initiated by The Namibian’s multimedia de- partment and has seen the likes of Elijah Ngurare, Sacky Shanghala, Dillish Mathews and McHenry Venaani field questions from the public on BLOWING UP … During the #AskDillish session, which lasted a little more various topics. than an hour, the starlet was showered with attention as the hashtag was used 1 200 times in October 2014. The #Ask platform was initiated by The Namibian’s multimedia department and has seen the likes of Elijah Ngurare, Sacky Shanghala, Job Amupanda and McHenry Venaani field questions from the public on various topics.

ganically, by providing good quality In July 2015 over 206 000 unique 10 and 12s and readers can access President Hage Geingob’s first 100 and interesting content from both visitors accessed The Namibian’s all our special supplements online. days in office, starting yet another The Namibian’s website, journalists, website. This provides further mileage for new avenue to inform, educate and archives and other credible sources. They not only read the news but can advertisers. entertain our readers. This platform also serves as a also leave comment and interact with We offer all of this free of charge. The most exciting project that the medium for readers to complain the community of registered online We’ve also hosted various #Ask multimedia team got of the ground about the availability of newspapers readers about the issues of the day. sessions with newsmakers on our this year is ‘The Link’, an illustrative in their area, raise their opinion about They can also vote in opinion different multimedia platforms. Dur- video where we offer a humorous the issues of the day and be part of a polls, do research in our archives, ing these sessions the general public breakdown of topical issues. Since 2014 the website community that discuss issues and apply for jobs at The Namibian and get the opportunity to ask questions So far the programme has received provide tips for possible stories. get the latest foreign exchange and directly to the newsmakers. positive feedback and over 2 000 is not just a reflection We also regularly ask them to com- weather information. Those who do not have access views on The Namibian’s YouTube of the paper but we ment on topical social issues which Since 2014 the website is not just to the printed edition, like readers channel. regularly update the we use in articles, especially in the a reflection of the paper but we reg- outside Namibia and those in re- The Namibian, after 30 years of entertainment and lifestyle section. ularly update the site with breaking mote places, will be able to access existence, is well prepared for the site with breaking news The Namibian’s Twitter account news from around the world, includ- the paper, as it appears early in the future and will offer even more choice from around the world, was created by a reader in 2009 and ing sports news and results. We also morning, in the form of an e-reader. and quality to its growing number of offered to us. As soon as we started to provide free exam results for Grade In 2015 we streamed an analysis of online readers. n including sports news interact with our followers in 2014, and results. We also our follower numbers grew steadily. provide free exam Our various Twitter events made us a prominent and influential platform results for Grade 10 and among Namibia’s community of 12s and readers can online opinionistas. We interact daily with our follow- access all our special ers on this platform and share our supplements online. content there. Readers come by their thousands This provides further to our website daily. An average of mileage for advertisers. over 12 000 visitors per day visited the site in 2014. 26 31 August 2015

LEADING ... The top management, under the leadership of editor Tangeni Amupadhi, meet twice a month.

SPELLING ... Nick de Voss, Matthew Dlamini and Anne Marcus are the three subeditors for the main section. A sneak peak into

The Namibian OFF YOU GO ... Longest serving employee Paulus Iyambo ensures that subcribers get the newspapers on time.

• THERESIA TJIHENUNA a scoop that others failed to carry to one of her sources and scribbling and kick ourselves when they have down some notes with her free hand. N this Monday morning at a story that we don’t have. We are still trying to understand exactly 07h45, managing Being part of a casual conversa- how she accidentally dropped a Oeditor Christof Maletsky tion in the newsroom is the order brötchen she was eating in the and news editor Wonder Guchu are of the day, every journalist wanting dustbin next to her desk. hunched in front of their computers to show Christof and Wonder that Wonder furiously taps on his browsing through the day’s news- they are informed and actually keyboard ... tap ... tap ... tap ... and papers. know what’s going on, especially the tapping sounds in the newsroom Reporters mumble their good when the topic is about something increase as the deadline gets closer. mornings as they walk past the glass controversial like President Hage Christof is calling Shinovene cubicle and some of us walk to our Geingob’s declaration of assets and across the room but the latter does corners behind the “big white pillar” the recent land grab incidents, or not answer...he has plugged in his as everyone likes to call it. other current affairs. earphones again, listening to music. IMPROMPTU ... Charlton de Waal, Joanne Liechti and Meanwhile, Wonder is closing the Shinovene Immanuel is reading This means someone has to poke him Ronnie Vries heading for a quick management meeting. newsroom door – all journalists are the comments about his story on or wave in his face to get his atten- called to order and drop whatever Twitter while sipping on some tion. Tuyeimo Haidula has received it is they were doing – his way of lukewarm rooibos tea with sliced her fourth bouquet of flowers in two announcing that the diary meeting lemons in his favourite flask. weeks and her desk is beginning to is now in session, without actually “Colleague, lemons are actually resemble a flower shop. Everyone pillar, it doesn’t help matters that the the pillar if we want to see a topical saying it. The first item on the agen- good for your skin,” he says, as if is curious as to who the sender of television attached to the big white story on TV. da is always to meditate and reflect trying to justify his close relation- the flowers is, but she wants to keep pillar is facing the other side and all Lucky for Tileni Mongudhi, Tuye- on the “hits and misses” for the day. ship with lemons. Ndanki Kahiurika everyone guessing and keeps the I hear is the familiar theme music of imo, Wonder and Christof, who have We give ourselves a pat on the sits in her corner with her back to card of the sender close to her chest. the e-News channel (or sometimes the better view from where they are back and punch the air when we have the rest of the newsroom, chatting Because I’m sitting behind the NBC). Some of us have to go around sitting. Everyone else leans in to

THE LOOKS … Liza Bezuidenhoudt is responsible HEART BEAT ... Klaudia Uuzombala and Danny Creative mind … Reinhold Appolus of production working on for the marketing side of the company. Nowoteb’s job is to keep the network running and his next design. to ensure that computers work. 31 August 2015 27

WHERE ELSE? ... Head of circulation and op- erations Hofney Kanandjembo investigates possible new routes for the distribution of the newspaper.

ENTERTAINERS … The supplements’ team back, from left: Fikameni Mathias, Yochanaan Coetzee, Kawela Mu’le, Cindy van Wyk, Rukee Kaakunga and Mwanyengwa Shapwanale. Front, from left: Netumba Nekomba, Natasha Uys and Anne Hambuda.

works with the SMS pages is loudly nMeanwhile, at operations Evy Britz PLOTTING ... Each weekday singing another one of his Luther is looking through some documents morning the news team in Wind- Vandross classics and wouldn’t stop while some mellow Afrikaans mu- hoek has a diary session to plan even after he is told he cannot sing. sic plays in the background. Her coverage for the next day. Nomhle Kangootui sits behind her colleague Konrad Balzer must find MONEY MATTERS ... Eleanor Izaaks, Agnes Tjijenda and Roelien desk with puffy eyes. Apparently she someone to fix the roof at editorial Geingos from the finance department check on money to be col- lay awake last night trying to put her because for the umpteenth time the lected from the debtors. baby to sleep. Normally on Sundays, roof is leaking and reporters are on she brings her baby along, trying to his case. However, while in editorial, type her stories and feeding her baby he joins in the discussion around at the same time since her nanny is football because Manchester United Even editor Tangeni Amupadhi The phone rings. off on weekends. She often asks us have finally won another match. may join us on this special occasion, Christof answers. to babysit him while she rushes off his arms crossed as he attentively Someone wants to know some- to the police briefing. nJohnathan from multimedia walks listens to Geingob’s speech on TV. thing about an article in today’s paper by smiling mischievously to himself Henry van Rooi, the photographer, on page three. “Yes, sir ... definitely,” nBlommie from the Weekender on his way out while Rukee from the rushes out with his camera – appar- Christof says as he continues listen- makes a grand entrance into the news- Weekender is wearing another one of ently there has been an accident on ing to the caller attentively. room with her devil-red lipstick and her fashionable eighties wedges with the Western Bypass and he wants to killer high-heels and wearing earrings her Afro tucked under a head wrap. get there before the ambulance beats nUsually around eleven, the soccer so big you can’t miss them – surely At a quick glance she could be mis- him to it. debate about last night’s match to make a statement. Today she is taken for soul-singer Erykah Badu. The remote control of the air con- begins. From Manchester United, showing us some special red powder Carmen Honey from the Resource CYBER ... Johnathan Beukes from the Ovahimba tribe, known to and Kawela Mu’le (middle) of the ditioning is missing again. Perhaps Liverpool, to Chelsea ... Sheefeni Centre stares at her computer with we should check under Theresia Nikodemus, the sports reporter, work wonders for the skin because both hands on her head, processing multimedia department have the it has special beauty properties to attention of Rukee Kaakunga (left). Tjihenuna’s pile of newspapers on her sometimes leads the pack in these her frustrations this way. desk. Some want the air cons switched debates. Christof is not to be outdone, smoothen the skin. However, as the day progresses, she trades her high- on, others think it is too cold. There’s he makes sure to drop in with his nTo the annoyance of all due to heels for simple flat pumps as she can always an argument about it. When two cents worth on the subject of deadline, Eddy Mostert from the no longer bear to walk in the heels. it’s winter, the heater becomes the football while Conrad Angula, Tileni, production department steps out Christof notices that her trouser has bone of contention. Shinovene and Chamwe (all Arsenal for a quick smoke break, and he is a hole in it – oops! – and offers her fans) chip in on the side. joined by his supervisor Charlton de nWerner Menges, our grammar-ob- the stapler for a quick fix solution. Waal, while Sue Nieuwoudt is trying sessed court reporter, just wants the nYvonne English (at reception) to trace the mysterious person who windows open for a natural cool peeps through the door and loudly nAt exactly noon, the seniors, in- took her mug, again. She has labelled breeze. He sits in his corner, surround- announces to the newsroom: “Muf- cluding Tangeni, Christof, Wonder, some of her personal items as a result listen when we hear Julius Malema ed by court documents and files that fins and fudge...muffins and fudge!” Johnathan and Charlton meet outside to no avail. having another rant in the South Af- are collecting dust and threatening Those who didn’t prepare home- to discuss what’s going to be in the rican parliament again or today when to collapse on him at any minute. made meals, like Shinovene, rush to next day’s paper. These meetings nWalter Kariko (media designer) President Geingob was declaring his “Remember, the dictionary is your buy their breakfast from the vendor can go either way, from exchanging walks by, with hands in his pockets, assets – such live occasions normally friend,” he loves reminding us when and proceed to the kitchen where views about trending in today’s paper crossing over to Chamwe Kaira’s command everyone’s attention. we are struggling with our spelling. they brew some coffee. Conrad, who to completely getting off the topic. desk. They exchange a quick whis-

FINER POINTS ... Teengongo Ngutjinazo from sales PEOPLE’S ISSUES ... The human resource department is ORGANISED … Tileni Mongudhi’s desk won’t be and George Shiwayu from production discuss and manned by Dantago Garosas (head) and Fillemon Haindongo. better than it is. advertisement. 28 31 August 2015

NUMBERS’ GAME … At finance, Michelle Nel Neatness … Jacky Sofika ensures neat- HAPPY FACES … Sandra September and Chantal Britz at enters key sales data. ness at the company. finance.

per about the business pages for the day. He returns to the newsroom a moment later looking for a missing kitchen knife asking if anybody has seen it lying around. He searches everyone’s desk and asks to borrow Tileni’s pocket knife instead. He is walking around with toilet paper stuffed in one of his nostrils again. Apparently he gets these nose bleeds every now and then. nAcross the street from the main building which hosts editorial and advertising, is Gwen Lister’s tiny of- fice. She makes her way there wearing very colourful trainers, having just come from a workout session. Soon she will remind us about the jour- nalism in-house training session we VENDORS’ MAN … Titus Emvula ensures that the paper gets to the TACTICS … Photographer Henry van Rooi shares some finer tactics of need to attend tomorrow and scolds vendors. the trade with Shinovene Immanuel and Sheefeni Nikodemus. us for missing her session the week before, threatening to dump us from the sessions and take her training to journalists from other newspapers desks because they need to finalise the anytime soon. However, the clients machine. At finance, you find An- for the day, chats and jokes become instead. Northern Focus supplement. The three could care less about her groomed thony Opperman, the only man in less frequent in the newsroom. damsels have designed a special logo nails as they make enquiries about the department – outnumbered by 13 nHofni Kanandjembo from Circula- for their department depicting three their classified adverts. women – but this clearly doesn’t seem nIt is the Supplements’ turn to host tion and Operations is sitting with a female superheroes who are supposed to bother him as he laughs at a joke the monthly braai this Friday. bunch of keys on a lanyard, staring into to resemble them. The only problem is nPhilemon Haindongo from the HR Bernice makes. The department hosting the braai the screen in front of him. He spent that the ones on the logo look nothing department is yearning for another one has to come up with a funky theme many hours at the printers last night like any of them. of his special ‘coffee station’ moments nMichelle Nel from the same depart- and invite some guests from the to make sure that all papers reach their he enjoys every morning with his boss ment refuses to move her eyes from corporate world to talk to us about destination. nJuliette Uiras from Classified Ads Dantago Garosas. He later walks by at her computer in case her calculations insurance products some of us would laments again about how their de- everyone’s work station to give them go wrong. never need. nHofni looks calm compared to partment is “like the second home their pay-slips and avoids the awkward The theme for this week is appar- the sight you see when entering the affairs” with impatient clients coming stares that normally follow him and nIt’s deadline time on St Charlton ently “African Funk”, or so the email office of general manager Sieggie and going, some of them refusing the rushes out quickly before they ask him Day. Thursday is named after Charlton invite from the hosting department Veii-Mujoro. He is scratching his head, offer to take a seat, preferring to stand any questions. de Waal – head of production – be- reads. apparently still waiting for someone he clearly putting on pressure in order to cause of his rants and swearing when Normally, people have poor con- was supposed to have an appointment be assisted fast. She takes a minute to nKlaudia Uuzombala from IT leaves people miss their page deadlines. On centration during these sessions as with ages ago. He busies himself with admire her well-manicured nails and her coffee to get cold while she rushes a normal day when the clock ticks they are sitting with growling stom- a few phone calls, including enquiring hopes the pink nail polish doesn’t fade to check out Yochanaan Coetzee’s on and everyone prepares to wrap up achs and wondering when the food something at the finance department and fellow directors of African Stars, while waiting for his appointment to show up. nOver at the advertising sales de- partment, Dwight Links is cursing his cellphone for refusing him service, while David Winborn asks Christina Ortman if she has any vaseline he can use for his dry lips. Dwight has baptised each of his colleagues in the department with special names that only he finds amusing and tends to use them at the most inopportune times. Soini Andreas makes a quick turn in the newsroom hoping to score some ads while chatting to the newsroom boys who recently voted and agreed amongst themselves that she has the ON THE ROAD ... Konrad Balzer of operations checks sexiest legs in the company. the paper before it hits the streets. nSilence hangs in the air like smoke at Strategic Publications. Joanne Liechti, MONEY MAKERS … The sales team, from left back row: Ronnie Vries, Jezuva Yvonne Amukwaya and Deodine Keeja, Christina Ortman, Phozia Mouton, Dwight Links, David Winborn and Emma Cloete – Team Three as they like to Petrus. Front: Delphina Muleke, Anna Ndemugwedha, Soini Andreas, Martha Angula call themselves – are all glued to their and Shantell Beukes. 31 August 2015 29

ESCAPE ROUTE … Carmen Honey can’t take the noise from COMPANY’S FACE … Yvonne English is called KEEPING HISTORY … Mirzia van Vuuren keeps the loud football discussion in the newsroom. the de facto CEO of the company. the history of the paper intact.

OSHI KEEPER … Abner Amuulo does the busi- ness of translating the stories into Oshiwambo.

FASTER ... Waldo Husselmann listens to music in-be- tween designing a page.

SOUTH MEETS WEST … Our men at the southern, western and coastal offices: Luqman Cloete (left) and Adam Hartman (right).

ADMIN CHIEF … Prisca Simbotwe is in charge of the adminis- CARTOONLIKE … Ivor Beukes and Netumbo Nekomba tration at the Swakop- can afford a smile despite the hassles of the deadlines. mund office.

will be served. Fortunately, Supple- for drinks is normally empty before ently lost points on this because ments department has decided not the food is served. We have already we don’t make an effort to play to bore us with long presentations run out of beer, thanks to some music and we made people eat and today. They have invited an unknown guzzlers in our midst. drink in silence the last time. But band to play African drums. However, there is always com- on a good Friday such as this at The monthly braais are normally petition on which department hosts The Namibian, deadline stress is DELAYED … Court reporter Werner characterised by a lot of good music the most exciting braais with each forgotten and everyone unwinds as Menges hardly makes the diary and depending who is in charge of aiming to outdo the other. we drink to yet another productive session on time. the braai and salad. The cooler box Our editorial department appar- week behind us. n

TOP TEAM … Classifieds team, back, from left: Clemencia Katjaimo, Oshakati Team ... From left to right: Denfielde Kefas (cleaner), Rachel Leah Ndahepele, Judy Gauises, Teengongo Ngutjinazo, Julith Uiras and Iyambo (receptionist), Victor Bowe (sales consultant), Aurora Da Fonseca Jay-Dine Isaacs with Morina Britz (sitting in front). (office admin) and Oswald Shivute (journalist). Standing in front is Verua Kavezeri (journalist). 30 31 August 2015

EARLY SHIFT... Some of the vendors buying the newspaper at The Namibian. (Below) Jerry Amwama hands over a bundle of nespapers to a vendor.

The Sky is the Limit

HE past 20 years since our revenues. Our philosophy of being in the north and far northern areas. tenth anniversary in 1995 have the ‘paper for the people’, and the We have increased our circulation Tbeen remarkably successful. fact that we kept our selling price at in these areas from 1 350 copies in Our editorial policy and the high a low N$3,00 for this whole period, 1996, to 5 250 copies every day in quality of the newspaper have ena- has undoubtedly also contributed to 2001 and currently 9 539. On Fridays bled us to grow at amazing rates in this success. it is 21 289 papers in the same areas. terms of circulation and advertising We have become the newspaper With a readership of about 12 peo- of choice in Namibia. ple per newspaper, we are reaching We have the largest circulation of around 255 400 readers in the north any newspaper in the country, and and far north on a Friday, and hope have grown from 9 000 in 1996 to to improve on this even more in the 21 000 in 2001 and now we print an future. average of 42 010 papers daily. That We are the only newspaper in is double the print size. Namibia that has been certified by The figures for Fridays are even the Audit Bureau of Circulation of more impressive. From an average Southern Africa. of 44 482 copies a year ago we are This accreditation gives our adver- now at an average of 73 400. tisers the comfort of knowing that the We have been very successful in circulations we offer are accurate and bringing our newspaper to the bulk of not inflated in order to attract their Namibia’s population which resides business. n

HHAPPYAPPY BBIRTHDAYIRTHDAY SSPECIALS!PECIALS!

DDISCOUNTSISCOUNTS TTHATHAT WWILLILL TTURNURN YYOUROUR HHEADEAD UUP-SIDE-DOWNP-SIDE-DOWN

N$ 279,900 N$ 243,900 N$ 209,900 N$

2014 Kia Sportage 2.0i Ignite 2.0i Sportage Kia 2014 Sportback 1.4TFSi A1 Audi 2013 GL/Premium 2.0i iX35 Hyundai 2013

15,000 10,000 DEPOSIT NO

4 x 2 c i n o r T - S 4 x 2 4 x 2 c i n o r T - S 4 x 2

N$ 199,900 N$ 199,900 N$ 166,900 N$

2012 Nissan NP300 2.5 Tdi S/C LWB S/C Tdi 2.5 NP300 Nissan 2012 Sedan Excel T3 S60 Volvo 2012 4-Dr Trendline 1.6i Polo VW 2013

NO DEPOSIT NO DEPOSIT NO 5,000

4 x 4 4 x 4

N$ 159,900 N$ 112,900 N$ 79,900 N$

2013 Toyota Corolla 1.6i Professional 1.6i Corolla Toyota 2013 Mags) + (AC 1.6i Vivo Polo VW 2010 GLS 1.0i Alto Suzuki 2010

NO DEPOSIT NO 5,000 DEPOSIT NO

A PPRESENT FFOR YYOU -- PPAY AA LLOW OOR NNO DDEPOSIT

Tel: 061 - 25 5140 181 Hosea Kutaku Drive www.wheels4all.com.na T&C’s APPLY * E&O.E * ©2015 31 August 2015 31

DISTRIBUTION NETWORK 2015 Onuno Ondobe Ogongo Omafo Engela Katima Outapi Oshikango Ongha Okongo Mulilo Ruacana Eenhana Nkurenkuru Oshikuku Oshakati Ongwediva Ohangwena Ondangwa Divundu Rundu Opuwo Okahao Onankali Onyaanya Oshivelo N 1-5 Onathinge Omuthija Onyati 2011 Tsumeb N 6 DISTRIBUTION NETWORK CentralKamanjab Otavi Grootfontein North Outjo Otjiwarongo Khorixas Oshikango Okakarara Outapi Eenhana Katima Mulilo Ondangwa Omaruru E W 1-2 Okahandja Usakos Karibib Henties Bay Hosea Kutako Int Airport Arandis N Swakopmund Gobabis Windhoek Witvlei Walvis Bay Central Groot-Aub Rehoboth Karibib Kalkrand W E Aranos S 1-2 Arandis Mariental C e n t r a l

Gibeon

Tses

Bethanien Lüderitz Keetmanshoop Aus Far South 1-3 S Grünau

Karasburg Rosh Pinah Aussenker

Oranjemund Noordoewer 32 31 August 2015 From the Archives


8&%/&4%":
+6-:

 '30.
5)&
"3$)*7&4 5)&
/".*#*"/

5IF
/BNJCJBO
PO
%7% 'SPN
0VS
"SDIJWFT 
NBSLFE
UIF
UI
BOOJWFSTBSZ
o
XF
BSF
SVOOJOH
B
TFMFDUJPO
PG
PVS

8&%/&4%":
4&15&.#&3

 '30.
5)&
"3$)*7&4 5)&
/".*#*"/ 5IPTF
JOUFSFTUFE
DBO
OPX
CVZ
B
TFU
PG
%7%T
DPOUBJOJOH
PG
5IF
/BNJCJBO
OFXTQBQFS
XIJDI
GSPOU
QBHFT
PWFS
UIF
ZFBST
5IFZ
PVS
ZFBS
CJSUIEBZ
NBHB[JOF
BT
XFMM
BT
BMM
DPQJFT
PG
5IF
XBT
GPVOEFE
o
JO
UIF
GBDF
PG
DPO BQQFBS
PODF
B
XFFL
PO
8FEOFT /BNJCJBO
GSPN
 TJEFSBCMF
PQQPTJUJPO
o
PO
"VHVTU
EBZT 5IF
DPTU
JT
/
JODMVEJOH
7"5 
5IF
%7%
JT

BWBJM 

5IJT
JT
UIF
GSPOU
QBHF
PG
UIF
OE
BCMF
GSPN
PVS
DBTIJFS
BU
PVS
8JOEIPFL
PGàDF
PS
FNBJM
%VF
UP
QPQVMBS
BQQFBM
o
BOE
CF FEJUJPO
PG
5IF
/BNJCJBO ZPVS
SFRVFTU
UP DBVTF
TP
NBOZ
ZPVOH
QFPQMF
EPOU
5IF
OFXTQBQFS
XBT
B
XFFLMZ
VOUJM
BSDIJWFT!OBNJCJBODPNOB LOPX
UIF
IJTUPSZ
PG
UIF
OFXTQBQFS
JU
CFDBNF
B
EBJMZ
PO
"QSJM



5IF
/BNJCJBO
PO
%7% 'SPN
0VS
"SDIJWFT 
NBSLFE
UIF
UI
BOOJWFSTBSZ
o
XF
BSF
SVOOJOH
B
TFMFDUJPO
PG
PVS
5IPTF
JOUFSFTUFE
DBO
OPX
CVZ
B
TFU
PG
%7%T
DPOUBJOJOH
PG
5IF
/BNJCJBO
OFXTQBQFS
XIJDI
GSPOU
QBHFT
PWFS
UIF
ZFBST
5IFZ
PVS
ZFBS
CJSUIEBZ
NBHB[JOF
BT
XFMM
BT
BMM
DPQJFT
PG
5IF
XBT
GPVOEFE
o
JO
UIF
GBDF
PG
DPO BQQFBS
PODF
B
XFFL
PO
8FEOFT /BNJCJBO
GSPN
 TJEFSBCMF
PQQPTJUJPO
o
PO
"VHVTU
EBZT 5IF
DPTU
JT
/
JODMVEJOH
7"5 
5IF
%7%
JT

BWBJM 

5IJT
JT
UIF
GSPOU
QBHF
PG
UIF
UI
BCMF
GSPN
PVS
DBTIJFS
BU
PVS
8JOEIPFL
PGàDF
PS
FNBJM
%VF
UP
QPQVMBS
BQQFBM
o
BOE
CF FEJUJPO
PG
5IF
/BNJCJBO ZPVS
SFRVFTU
UP DBVTF
TP
NBOZ
ZPVOH
QFPQMF
EPOU
5IF
OFXTQBQFS
XBT
B
XFFLMZ
VOUJM
BSDIJWFT!OBNJCJBODPNOB LOPX
UIF
IJTUPSZ
PG
UIF
OFXTQBQFS
JU
CFDBNF
B
EBJMZ
PO
"QSJM



SEE PAGE 10 Zambia to export power to Namibia -P9

SEE PAGE 16 Heavy gunfire hits South Sudan capital -P14 SA celebrates Reconciliation Day after Madiba’s funeral -P15

28

YEARS OF

INDEPENDENT REPORTING

STILL TELLING IT LIKE IT IS! VOL. 28 NO. 77 N$3 TUESDAY 17 DECEMBER 2013

Entire City turns down Omaruru council N$20m land offer suspended t
"%".
)"35."/ ... opts to sell it for N$5 million THE entire Omaruru town council was suspended Vincent Kahua yesterday with immedi- t
%&/7&3
,*45*/( along Sam Nujoma Drive near wao Porperties, which offered cepted until this Friday. ate effect and without Orban Primary School in Hoch- N$5 million was accepted. Ironically the contact per- remuneration until further THE City of Windhoek has land Park. Ekwao Properties’ offer was sons who should receive the notice. allegedly turned down a N$20 Prime Vision Properties and announced in an advertisement objections at council - Mariaan They are Swapo’s Phil- million offer for a prime plot, Investment CC offered council ighted by the municipality on Davids and Joe Vries - are both lip Nghipandulwa, Tuli opting to sell it for N$5 million. N$20 million for the erven ve 27 November this year. The on leave. Gebhardt and Johannes Ha- The plot in question com- years ago but their offer was advertisement also called for mutenya; RDP’s Kreten- prises erven 106, 107 and 1907 turned down, while that of Ek- objections, which will be ac- OFFER: continued on page 2 sia Garises and Albertus Naruseb (Deputy Mayor); UDF’s Christiaan Nanuseb (Chairman of the Manage- 46/
4&"
4"/% ... Swa- ment Committee); and kopmund’s Mole Beach Nudo’s Vincent Kahua is as popular as ever with Albertus Naruseb (Mayor). holidaymakers enjoying This was done as a one of the most attrac- “last resort” because of tive public beaches in the council’s failure to the country. What makes address serious issues of the Mole attractive is alleged mismanagement as its bay area situated required by the minister for close to facilities such the past nearly two years, as cafes, ski-boats, jumping castles and a the ministry announced. playground. This is also The suspension was also where the new Strand gazetted yesterday. Hotel will be situated.

Photo: Adam Hartman SUSPENDED: Paul Ganaseb continued on page 2

REMEMBERED ... Kho- mas governor Laura McLeod-Katjirua of- ficially launches Govt spends N$4m on veterans’ tombstones the ceremonial unveiling of war t
5)&3&4*"
5+*)&/6/" the liberation struggle of Namibia erected tombstones at 15 mass veteran Jakuaterua alive, the Minister of Veterans graves in Ohangwena, Oshikoto, Elson Henguva’s GOVERNMENT will spend N$4 Affairs, Nickey Iyambo, has said. Oshana and Omusati regions, 47 tombstone at the million on tombstones to be erected Iyambo, together with gover- individual graves of unknown sol- Pionierspark Old for 224 war veterans and 15 mass nors, led the tombstone unveiling diers in Ohangwena Region, and Location Cemetery graves to honour heroes at different ceremonies and the laying of 162 graves of registered veterans in Windhoek memorial sites around the country yesterday. wreaths at graves of selected vet- countrywide. before the end of March next year. erans in all the regions yesterday. Photo: This is part of the Ministry of He said by 31 March next VETERANS: Jordaania Veteran Affairs’ mandate to keep year, his ministry aims to have continued on page 2 Andima

Tel: (061) 279600; Fax: 279602; PO Box 20783, Windhoek; e-mail: [email protected]; website: www.namibian.com.na 31 August 2015 33

IÊ/"
9\Ê*"* Ê /-Ê 1- Ê *"
/-ÊIÊ 1
Ê  -Ê1- Ê"Ê", ÊIÊ-

Ê/,"7 Ê"1/Ê"Ê "1,/Ê

 ÊIÊ IÊ/"
9\Ê<
7 Ê/
-Ê, -1 ÊIÊÓäÊ Ê Ê 8*"-" Ê Ê-"
Ê
*/
ÊIÊ£ÓÎÊ7",-** ,-Ê  Ê Ê-/
* I IÊ/"
9\Ê£nÊ  Ê Ê

-Ê 1  Ê "
*- ÊIÊ
,,"9"Ê "*-Ê1*Ê
/ ,Ê "1*Ê*"/ÊIÊ+1
 Ê/"Ê1*ÊI

ÓÓ

9
,-Ê"

 * / , *",/ 

-/Ê/  Ê/Ê Ê/Ê-tÊ6"°ÊÓ£Ê "°Ê£Ç™ fÎÊÊÊÊÊ/1 -
9Ê- */ ,ÊÓÈÊÓääÈ -/Ê/  Ê/Ê Ê/Ê-tÊ6"°ÊÓÎÊ "°Ê£{Ó fÎÊÊÊÊÊ "
9Ê
11-/Ê{ÊÓään -/Ê/  Ê/Ê Ê/Ê-tÊÊ6"°ÊÓ£ÊÊ "°ÊΙ fÊÓÊÊÊ "
9Ê ,1
,9ÊÓÇÊÓääÈ From the President Korean doctors could be coming to Namibia ˆ}>ÀiÌÌiÊ UÊ 6 ,Ê-

- believed that Namibia has yet to Namibia. These include brain, consider the offer. heart and colorectal surgeons Pohamba ÓÕ}}ˆ˜}Ê THE North Korean government North Korea apparently sug- and anaesthesiologists. is in talks with Namibia’s Health gested the idea to Namibia in Another 100 doctors, includ- Ministry about sending 300 Ko- terms of an agreement on public ing general surgeons and gynae- plagued .UJOMA SUES Àˆ˜}ÊLÕÃÌi`Ê rean doctors to Namibia. health and traditional medicine, According to sources in the cologists, could be assigned to 6
-/
/" Sources in the ministries of signed in March during a visit to Foreign Affairs Ministry, North smaller health facilities in the Health and of Foreign Affairs Namibia by the President of the Korea has offered about 50 regions. by plane -iiÊÀi«œÀÌʜ˜Ê«Î $1!
+*8-)!
/$!
/('.
!/2!!*
North Korean Supreme People’s specialists to be assigned to four the two countries, although it is Assembly, Kim Yong Nam. central State hospitals across DOCTORS: cont. on p2 troubles UÊ
-
" Ê-7 
FOR  MILLION "#$ %
2I4.9>7B.
"8 hamba was stranded in West Africa for more than 24 hours >ˆ“ÃÊ/ iÊ >“ˆLˆ>˜ after one of the three engines 3TANDOFF IN 3WAPO of the Presidential Falcon 900B Jet failed. ˆ“«ˆi`Ê iʈÃÊVœÀÀÕ«Ì $=*=.
8><.
,87I;6.-
B.<- UÊ ,// Ê7   Ê terday that Pohamba was ex- UÊ7 Ê-/ , rupt dealings in Avid and Ê >˜`Ê ,-/"Ê
 /-9 p.,=.-
+*,4
*=
*;8>7-
1
State entities, such as the last night after some “technical FORMER head of state and Social Security Commis- A BLISTERING attack was launched on the Head of problems”. President of Swapo, Sam Nu- <287
$$ //!
*
2,+
-!.% !*/
%8'!,0*3!
+$)
8@.?.;
=1.;.
@*<
78
8/I,2*5
joma, is suing The Namibian • was a person of low moral at the Swapo Party Central Committee in Windhoek ,87I;6*=287
87
=1.
7*=>;.
8/
=1.
for N$5 million because, scruple. at the weekend, as a battle rages for control of power problem. he alleges, the newspaper The claim relates to a in the ruling party. Well-placed sources told The implied he is corrupt. report published on August So-called loyalists of former President Sam Nu- Namibian that Pohamba and his In a summons, lawyers 10 2005. joma have taken up cudgels against “the rest”. delegation, returning from the for Nujoma claim that by Headlined ‘Nujoma named Archives Also on the receiving end of accusations hurled by United Nations General Assem- reporting on evidence given in Avid Scandal’ and written junior Central Committee members – at what was b5B
27
.@
)8;4
@.;.
<=>,4
27
during a public inquiry on by senior reporter Werner described as a bad-tempered meeting – were Prime Cape Verde on Sunday after one the Avid-SSC case last year, Menges, it quoted from Minister Nahas Angula and his deputy, Libertina of the engines of the Falcon Jet the newspaper implied that an affidavit submitted to Amathila. /*25.-
<18;=5B
*/=.;
=*4.8//
%1.B
Nujoma: a Companies Act hearing * œÌœÃ\Ê/>˜>Ê >ÕÃiÊ>˜`Êwi According to well-placed sources, charges of al- stopped over in Sal, Cape Verde, • abused his position as the in the High Court by Avril leged “non-performance” against Angula and Am- / Ê/"*Ê"1,Ê°°°Ê-Ü>«œÊ6ˆViÊ*ÀiÈ`i˜Ì]Ê>}iÊiˆ˜}œL]Ê*ÀiÈ`i˜Ìʈ‡ to refuel in the morning. President of Namibia to Green, former manager at the athila were led by Deputy Minister of Agriculture, wŽi«Õ˜ÞiÊ*œ >“L>]Ê-iVÀiÌ>ÀÞÊi˜iÀ>Ê*i˜`Վi˜ˆÊˆÛՏ>‡Ì >˜>Ê>˜`Ê iÀÊ Sources said Pohamba’s staff *-?*7,.
9.;<87*5
I7*7,2*5
Social Security Commission Isak Katali and National Council member Margreth `i«ÕÌÞÊ >˜}œœÊ LՓL>° then phoned home to instruct Air +.7.I=
27
?2- (SSC). Mensah-Williams. Namibia to send a Boeing 737- C
2<
*
,8;;>9=
5.*-.; They are said to have 200 to collect the presidential • wanted to conceal his cor- SUES: cont. on page 2 IÊ/"
9\Ê"6 ,Ê£xäÊ
Ê Ê/,
 Ê ,
-ÊIÊ " -ÊÊÓ{Ê,
+Ê -ÊIÊ1 /Ê" Ê",Ê" " Ê " -Ê
-/ ,  -ÊI accused Angula of hav- delegation. ing 5-! 0 !
/$!
"8 !
The Boeing left Namibia at around midnight on Sunday and of the Prime Minister to 
,
*½-Ê7
/ ,-Ê " Ê "7 Ê°°°Ê i“LiÀÃʜvÊ>Êv>“ˆÞʓ>ŽiÊÌ iˆÀÊÜ>ÞÊ̜ÊÃ>viÌÞÊÌ ÀœÕ} Ê >Àˆi˜Ì>½ÃÊyœœ`i`ÊÃÌÀiiÌÃʜ˜Ê->ÌÕÀ`>Þ°Ê * œÌœ\Ê/>˜>Ê >ÕÃiÊ a Ministry”. 92,4.-
=1.6
>9
Pohamba was report- However, one engine of the -/Ê/   Ê/Ê  Ê/Ê -tÊÊ6"°ÊÓäÊÊ edly accused of allegedly “not consulting” with “the Boeing also experienced prob- "°Ê£xä -ARIENTAL HIT BY @WORST lems and they were forced to party” on policy issues and of centralising decision- /ܜÊ`ÀœÜ˜]ʜ˜iʓˆÃȘ}ʈ˜Ê,i œÊÌÀ>}i`Þ fÊÓÊÊÊ7 -
9 )'%*#
-+0*
+*(3
/$-!!
+"8 %(.
%*
$%.
+"8 ! land again – this time in Accra, .UJOMA NAMEDÊ
11-/Ê£äÊÓääx However, Swapo Party insiders say it has more to FLOODS IN LIVING MEMORY Ghana. do with Nujoma not having as much sway and say in Yesterday morning the the highest echelons of power than he had anticipated Namibian delegation unsuccess- IN !VID SCANDAL when he anointed Pohamba as his successor. fully tried to charter a plane from

"U
MFBTU

IPVTFIPMET
EJTQMBDFE œÕÀÌÊ They say that added to this is Nujoma’s desire to Gabon, eventually managing to UÊ7 , ,Ê  - i>ÀÃʜvÊ AVID Investment Corporation was introduced to the <.,>;.
*
844.;

/;86
1*7*
>i}i`Ê Social Security Commission by former Swapo MP +*/%*0!
/+
%*90!* !
/$!
(%*!
+"
.0 !..%+*
%*
/$!
Ralph Blaauw, who also claimed that the Swapo Party >Ìi‡˜ˆ} ÌÊ Youth League owned 80 per cent of the company’s in the afternoon. shares and that former President Sam Nujoma, too,


CVTJOFTTFT
TVCNFSHFE was an Avid shareholder, suspended SSC manager ruling party as well as who will eventually take over LÀˆLi 62),
2%%.
#,!)-3
).
!.
!&<$!6)4
35"-)44%$
4/
4(%
High Court. Sources said the French-made An official in The sixth day of a Companies Act inquiry into a the reins from Pohamba as head of state. N$30 million investment the SSC made with Avid 4(%
&<#%
/&
4(%
started yesterday with Acting Judge Raymond Falcon, bought during the 1992 Prime Minister, Heathcote informing the array of lawyers involved
Matthew Gow- ).
4(%
).15)29
4(!4
!.
!&<$!6)4
&2/-
2%%.
(!$
"%%.

%BNBHF
FTUJNBUFE
UP
SVO
JOUP
aseb <,%$
7)4(
4(%
#/524 SWAPO: continued on page 2 (below) is -;8>01=
/8;

6255287
@*<
said to have ap- The Acting Judge provided lawyers with copies proached /&
4(%
!&<$!6)4
&4%2
2%&%22).'
/.,9
4/
!
0!2!'2!0(
Cabi- towards the end of the statement, in which a claim a reliable plane but that it was net secretary )3
-!$%
4(!4

#(!)2-!.
2!.3
!0/<
3!)$
(%




NJMMJPOT Frans Kapofi had been offered money in return for extending the 1 ,Ê
//
Ê°°°Ê/œ«ÊivÌ\Ê*Àˆ“iÊ ˆ˜ˆÃÌiÀÊ >‡ (above). investment’s repayment deadline, the court moved 9;./.;*+5.
=8
JB
@2=1
=1;..
/>7,- See page 2. on to other business. >ÃÊ
˜}Տ>Ê>˜`Ê ˆÃÊ`i«ÕÌÞ]ʈLiÀ̈˜>Ê
“>Ì ˆ>]Ê ,"7 Ê 6 tional engines instead of two for )4(
4(!4
4(%
!&<$!6)4
(!$
15)%4,9
"%#/-%
0!24
/&
œ˜ÊÌ iÊÀˆ} Ì the growing volume of evidence before the Acting

3PBE
UP
4PVUI
"GSJDB
DVU
PGG safety reasons. Judge. Its low-key admission as evidence stood in stark contrast to the often explosive nature of the claims made in the sworn statement. The name of Blaauw – a former Swapo MP, The Government’s Lear Jet and now Acting Secretary General of the National Youth Council – has already surfaced previously /7"Êܜ“i˜Ê`ÀœÜ˜i`ÊÜ i˜ÊÌ iˆÀÊÛi ˆViÊÜ>ÃÊÃÜi«ÌÊ>Ü>ÞÊLÞÊ>ÊÀˆÛiÀÊxäʎ“ÊÜÕÌ ÊœvÊ,i œLœÌ Ê in the enquiry, with one of those mentions having was not dispatched because it come from Swapo Party Youth League Secretary

$SPQT
BOE
QJH
GBSN
EFTUSPZFE Paulus Kapia, who told the court that Blaauw had œ˜ÊÀˆ`>Þʘˆ} Ì°Ê/ iÊÃi>ÀV ÊÜ>ÃÊÃ̈Ê}œˆ˜}ʜ˜ÊvœÀÊÕÀ˜iÞÊ>˜Ãi˜Ê­£{®Ê>ÌiÊÞiÃÌiÀ`>Þ°Ê
LœÛi\Ê approached him to ask him to join Avid’s board of was designed for short distances directors around April last year. ÕÀ˜iÞ½ÃÊ “œÌ iÀ]Ê i}>Ê ˆiÀ}>>À`Ì]Ê Ê Ü>ÃÊ Õ˜>LiÊ ÌœÊ Vœ˜Ì>ˆ˜Ê iÀÊ Ìi>ÀÃÊ Ü ˆiÊ Ì>Žˆ˜}Ê ÌœÊ / iÊ  9Ê1, Ê°°°Ê,>« Ê >>ÕÜ° Blaauw himself was not a director, but his wife, Enterprize only. Sharon Blaauw, was and still is. >“ˆLˆ>˜°Ê-iiÊvՏÊÀi«œÀÌʜ˜Ê«>}iÊΰ * œÌœ\Êi˜ÀÞÊÛ>˜Ê,œœˆ AVID: continued on page2 2008 calling all 4FF
GVMM
SFQPSUT
QIPUPHSBQIT
QBHFT



 On Sunday, journalists drove =8
8<.*
>=*48
7=.;7*=287*5
-0S !SSETS !,, EYES WILL Airport to report on President BE ON THE LATEST business owners! !SSET 2EGISTER OF -0S SCHEDULED Pohamba’s return, only to be TO BE COMPLETED BEFORE THE NEXT SESSION OF told that his arrival had been 0ARLIAMENT Competition closes, /" Ê°°°ÊœÀ“iÀÊ*ÀiÈ`i˜ÌÊ->“Ê Սœ“>Ê 3EE PAGE  Ü>ÃÊ>i}i`ÊÌœÊ >ÛiÊ>Êà >Àiʈ˜ÊÌ iÊVœ“«>˜ÞÊLÕÌÊ delayed. Ì ˆÃÊܜՏ`ʘœÌÊLiÊ`ˆÃVœÃi`]Ê>VVœÀ`ˆ˜}Ê̜Ê>˜Ê>v‡ /i\Ê­äÈ£®ÊÓǙÈääÆÊÊ>Ý\ÊÓǙÈäÓÆÊÊ*"Ê œÝÊÓäÇnÎ]Ê7ˆ˜` œiŽÆÊÊi‡“>ˆ\ʘiÜÃJ˜>“ˆLˆ>˜°Vœ“°˜>ÆÊÊÜiLÈÌi\ÊÜÜÜ°˜>“ˆLˆ>˜°Vœ“°˜>w`>ۈÌÊ«ÀiÃi˜Ìi`Ê̜ÊÌ iʈ} Ê œÕÀÌÊÞiÃÌiÀ`>Þ°ÊivÌ\Ê
ÊÃiV̈œ˜ÊœvÊÌ iÊ>vw`>ۈÌÊvÀœ“ÊÃÕëi˜`i`Ê-œVˆ>Ê Last night’s arrival was sched- -iVÕÀˆÌÞÊ œ““ˆÃȜ˜Ê >˜>}iÀÊ
ÛÀˆÊÀii˜ÊÜ ˆV Ê #9!.-!'%.4!9%,,/7",!#+ 29 August 2008 mainbody SELMA.indd 1 “i˜Ìˆœ˜ÃÊ Õœ“>Ê>˜`ÊÌ iÊV>ˆ“i`ʈ˜ÛœÛi“i˜ÌÊ uled to be at Eros Airport instead œvÊÌ iÊ-Ü>«œÊ*>ÀÌÞÊ9œÕÌ Êi>}Õi° of the international airport. 
 Ê/ Ê
,,
 Ê°°°Ê­Ìœ«®Ê >}ÀiÌ Ê i˜‡ Ã> ‡7ˆˆ>“ÃÊ>˜`ÊÃ>ŽÊ>Ì>ˆÊ­>LœÛi®°
/Ê/ Ê /, Ê°°°ÊœÀ“iÀÊ*ÀiÈ`i˜ÌÊ->“Ê Սœ“> /i\Ê­äÈ£®ÊÓǙÈääÆÊÊ>Ý\ÊÓǙÈäÓÆÊÊ*"Ê œÝÊÓäÇnÎ]Ê7ˆ˜` œiŽÆÊÊi‡“>ˆ\ʘiÜÃJ˜>“ˆLˆ>˜°Vœ“°˜>ÆÊÊÜiLÈÌi\ÊÜÜÜ°˜>“ˆLˆ>˜°Vœ“°˜> /i\Ê­äÈ£®ÊÓǙÈääÆÊÊ>Ý\ÊÓǙÈäÓÆÊÊ*"Ê œÝÊÓäÇnÎ]Ê7ˆ˜` œiŽÆÊÊi‡“>ˆ\ʘiÜÃJ˜>“ˆLˆ>˜°Vœ“°˜>ÆÊÊÜiLÈÌi\ÊÜÜÜ°˜>“ˆLˆ>˜°Vœ“°˜> #9!.-!'%.4!9%,,/7",!#+ /i\Ê­äÈ£®ÊÓǙÈääÆÊÊ>Ý\ÊÓǙÈäÓÆÊÊ*"Ê œÝÊÓäÇnÎ]Ê7ˆ˜` œiŽÆÊÊi‡“>ˆ\ʘiÜÃJ˜>“ˆLˆ>˜°Vœ“°˜>ÆÊÊÜiLÈÌi\ÊÜÜÜ°˜>“ˆLˆ>˜°Vœ“°˜> #9!.-!'%.4!9%,,/7",!#+

MAINBODY SELMA.indd 1 2/26/06 8:52:27 PM


8&%/&4%":
"6(645

 '30.
5)&
"3$)*7&4 5)&
/".*#*"/

5IF
/BNJCJBO
PO
%7% 'SPN
0VS
"SDIJWFT -BTU
ZFBS
NBSLFE
UIF
UI
BOOJWFS GSPOU
QBHFT
PWFS
UIF
ZFBST
XIJDI
IBT
:PV
DBO
OPX
CVZ
B
TFU
PG
%7%T
DPOUBJOJOH
PVS
ZFBS
TBSZ
PG
5IF
/BNJCJBO
OFXTQBQFS
CFDPNF
B
QPQVMBS
GFBUVSF CJSUIEBZ
NBHB[JOF
BT
XFMM
BT
BMM
DPQJFT
PG
5IF
/BNJCJBO
XIJDI
XBT
GPVOEFE
o
JO
UIF
GBDF
PG
5IFZ
BQQFBS
PODF
B
XFFL
PO
GSPN
 DPOTJEFSBCMF
PQQPTJUJPO
o
PO
"VHVTU
8FEOFTEBZT 5IF
DPTU
JT
/
JODMVEJOH
7"5 
5IF
%7%
JT

BWBJM 

5IJT
JT
UIF
GSPOU
QBHF
PG
UIF
TU
BCMF
GSPN
PVS
DBTIJFS
BU
PVS
8JOEIPFL
PGàDF
PS
FNBJM
"T
TP
NBOZ
ZPVOH
QFPQMF
EPOU
FEJUJPO
PG
5IF
/BNJCJBO ZPVS
SFRVFTU
UP LOPX
UIF
IJTUPSZ
PG
UIF
OFXTQBQFS
5IF
OFXTQBQFS
XBT
B
XFFLMZ
VOUJM
BSDIJWFT!OBNJCJBODPNOB XF
TUBSUFE
SVOOJOH
B
TFMFDUJPO
PG
PVS
JU
CFDBNF
B
EBJMZ
PO
"QSJM



*/4*%&
50%": %POU
NJTT
UPEBZT
CVNQFS




• Prowealth bling under hammer, p3 8PSME
$VQ

• Government websites dismal, p3 FEJUJPO
PG
5IF
/BNJCJBO • Trustco reinstates top manager, p3 1-64
ZPVS
'3&&
TDPSF
DIBSU
BOE
QPTUFS 4FF
QBHF
 4FF
BMTP
#BDL
PG
UIF
#PPL



:&"34
0'

*/%&1&/%&/5 3&1035*/(

45*--
5&--*/(
*5
-*,&
*5
*4
70-

/0
 /







'3*%":
+6/&


 *UT
PVS
UJNF "
DPOUJOFOU
SFWFMT
JO
m
STU
8PSME
$VQ
PO
IPNF
TPJM

t
"/%3&8
$"85)03/&

+0)"//&4#63(

7VWV[FMB
USVNQFUT
CMBTUFE
BOE
á
BHT
á
FX
QSPVEMZ
BDSPTT
4PVUI
"GSJDB
PO
UIF
FWF
PG
UIF
DPOUJOFOUT
à
STU
8PSME
$VQ
XIJDI
"GSJDBOT
IPQF
XJMM
USBOTGPSN
OFHBUJWF
HMPCBM
QFSDFQUJPOT
PG
UIFN
GPSFWFS *O
IPUFMT
BOE
USBJOJOH
HSPVOET
BDSPTT
UIF
WBTU
BOE
CFBVUJGVM
OBUJPO
QMBZFST
BOE
DPBDIFT
PG
UIF

DPNQFUJOH
OBUJPOT
IBWF
UIFJS
FZFT
TFU
PO
BO
FRVBMMZ
MPGUZ
HPBM

MJGU JOH
UIF
HMPCFT
NPTU
DPWFUFE
TQPSUJOH
QSJ[F
PO
+VMZ
 4PVUI
"GSJDBT
1SFTJEFOU
+BDPC
;VNB
VOSFBMJTUJDBMMZ
VSHFE
UIF
MPDBM
A#BGBOB
#BGBOB
5IF
#PZT
UFBN
UP
CSJOH
IJN
UIF
USPQIZ
#VU
UIF
NPSF
MJLFMZ
CFOFà
U
GPS
UIF
IPTUT
JT
B
MBTUJOH
MFHBDZ
PG
UPVSJTN
JOWFTUNFOU
BOE
HSFBUFS
TPDJBM
VOJUZ 4PVUI
"GSJDB
EP
UIPVHI
HP
JOUP
UPEBZT
PQFOFS
BHBJOTU
.FYJDP
CSJNNJOH
XJUI
DPOà
EFODF
BGUFS
B
NBUDI
VOCFBUFO
SVO 5IF
NBKPSJUZ
PG


QFPQMF
JO
4PDDFS
$JUZ
XJMM
CF
CBDLJOH
#BGBOB
#BGBOB
XJUI
B
DBDPQIPOZ
PG
WVWV[FMBT
UIBU
IBWF
BMSFBEZ
CFDPNF
B
TZNCPM
PG
4PVUI
"GSJDB
 i5IJT
JT
CJH
IJTUPSZ
*
DBOU
CFMJFWF
JU u
MPDBM
GBO
"MJDF
4BUFHF
TBJE
TIBLJOH
XJUI
UFBST
BT
TIF
DIFFSFE
B
UFBN
QBSBEF 1VOEJUT
FYQFDU
BO
FYDJUJOH
NBUDI
GSPN
UXP
TJEFT
CFUUFS
BU
HPJOH
GPSXBSE
UIBO
EFGFOEJOH
6SVHVBZ
GBDF
'SBODF
JO
UIF
TFDPOE
NBUDI
PG
UIF
HBNF
UPVSOBNFOUT
PQFOJOH
EBZ TIME: continued on page 2

5FM



'BY


10
#PY

8JOEIPFL

FNBJM
OFXT!OBNJCJBODPNOB

XFCTJUF
XXXOBNJCJBODPNOB 34 31 August 2015 Ploughing back in the community is our aim

POPULAR … The annual The Namibian/Pick ‘n Pay cycling competition serves as a qualifier for the Cape Argus race in South Africa.

Some of those who came through the tournament and went on to play on the bigger stage are Lazarus Kaimbi, Letu Shatimwene, Marae Swartbooi, Maximilian Mbaeva, Da Costa Angula, Kenny Malgas, Rudolf Bester, Pat Nevin Uanivi, Virgil Vries and Jerome Louis. The tournament simultaneously promotes the development of women’s soccer with a match featuring two teams to showcase progress being made at that level too. It also provides the chance for the public to enjoy a four-day soccer bonanza, as entry is free of charge. Perhaps one of the understated facts are that the tournament also boosts the PUMPING IN … For the last 15 years The Namibian has helped local economy as it provides a market the Namibia Football Association to not only take football to the for small and medium entrepreneurs grassroots but identify the raw talent for development into national in the town where it is held and for stars. The last tournament was won by the combined team of the providing services to the tournament. Kavango regions. Previous research has shown that more than N$2 million is invested in a given town’s economy over the four days. Another sporting event supported by The Namibian is the annual The Namibian/Pick ‘n Pay Cycle Classic, which aims is to popularise cycling as a sport and social activity. The event is held each year in October in Windhoek, and teams and cyclists from afar can take part. The big bonus ACH year The Namibian in- is that the event is seen as a qualifier vests close to N$3 million in for the Cape Argus cycling race. Evarious social responsibility The Namibian is also the sponsor projects. of the annual Namibian Open Squash As the country’s biggest selling Championship, and has committed to daily newspaper, we are motivated supporting this event for five years. by a balance between profit and As part of that commitment, The people, the passion to reinvest into Namibian helped bring the World the community who stood by us over Youth Squash championships to the INTERNATIONAL FLAIR … Apart from sponsoring the annual squash the past 30 years. country last year. open championship, The Namibian helped bring the World Youth Our biggest project is The Namib- In addition, the newspaper contrib- Squash championship to the country last year. ian Newspaper Cup, now in its 15th utes to various miscellaneous projects year. The competition is held over the from time to time. Easter weekend at different venues These include the following spon- throughout the country, and is host- sorships: ed in conjunction with the Namibia • Purchasing apples in the Bank Football Association (NFA). Windhoek Cancer Apple Project The Namibian Newspaper cup, for and donating these to charities in players under 20, aims to stimulate Namibia; and grassroots development of soccer and • Advertising sponsorship and sup- to provide a showcase of soccer talent port to various non-profit organisations for selection into national teams. such as the Society for the Prevention The tournament is a platform which of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), the Cat brings the national selectors closer Protection Society, the Cancer Associ- to the players in the 14 regions of ation of Namibia, the Drug Awareness the country. Group, the Namibia Blood Transfu- Over the years, several players sion Services, Re-Cycle Namibia, came through the tournament to join Bank Windhoek Socratic Society the national teams (different levels) and other community-related events. in addition to being scouted and The Namibian aims to continually recruited by premier league clubs. grow its social responsibility projects At any given time, the national in the years to come, with a special THE WORD GAME … In 2014, the ‘Let’s Read’ project was launched soccer team will easily include up to focus on the youth and assistance to through which several needy schools get copies of the paper to 80% of the players who came through goodwill and charitable organisations promote the reading culture. the tournament. and events in the country. n 31 August 2015 35

Congratulatory message to The Namibian Nangof It gives Misa great pleasure to congratulate The Namibian news- Trust – paper on 30 years of its existence. During this time The Namibian newspaper has been an indispensable part of the Namibian nation and the country’s evolving democracy. Enhancing

The Namibian continues to be a firebrand for press freedom and is clear on its role in a post-apartheid Namibia. We commend The Civil Society Namibian for playing a significant role as a critical but constructive voice, in addition to providing an accessible platform for citizens to Advocacy express themselves on issues that affect their livelihoods.

We wish you many more years of “telling it like it is”. Congratulations! • Ivin Lombardt organisations in an oppressive so- ciety to development organisations Misa Trust Funds Board ANGOF Trust, with its lead- in a democratic dispensation is still www.misa.org ership and management and unfolding but Namibia now has a Non behalf of its members, more diverse set of NGOs active would like to convey many, many in socio-economic development. congratulations to The Namibian on They contribute greatly to poverty its 30th anniversary!! Many institu- reduction efforts and promote good A partnership stretching for decades tions do not reach such milestones governance, respect for human in this day and age. For thirty years rights and citizen participation. Congratulations to The Namibian on their 30th We value the longevity of this relationship and now, this newspaper has been a part They are also involved in provid- anniversary this year. As a newspaper that has therefore take this opportunity to send a word of of the daily routine for many people ing services such as home-based gone through the rough and tumble of political congratulations and wish them many more years as a reference point for their office care, mobile health clinics, man- life in the 1980s to become the newspaper we of “telling it like it is” and informing the nation on discussions, information updates and aging early childhood development know today, we are proud to be celebrating this important news happenings and current events in major national events. centres and schools, and running milestone with them. and around the country. The Namibian embodies the idea community-based natural resources Since their inception, the country’s first independ- of freedom of expression. Civil so- management centres,. ent newspaper has been Standard Bank Namibia’s Standard Bank Namibia chief executive ciety has a cardinal responsibility to In a democratic dispensation like long-standing and loyal banking partner. Vetumbuavi Mungunda robustly promote press freedom and Namibia, NGOs ought to be more strong discussion among citizens. proactive in analysing and resolving The Namibian has created plat- the socio-economic challenges of forms to encourage same and has the day. For instance, civil society is most certainly contributed to the expected to respond to and propose creation of a more vibrant society. policies that address the current We understand how important it is rampant unemployment rate in to sustain the paper as a Namibian the country, the unacceptably high institution, as doing so will support levels of poverty, lack of housing, the improvement of broader politi- high unemployment and income cal rights and civil freedoms in our inequality which are all challenges society. that require the active engagement Namibia’s NGOs emerged histor- of civil society to resolve. ically as a response to the discrimi- Nangof Trust and its member natory laws of the apartheid colonial NGOs would never have achieved the administration before independence. above, had it not been for partners Consequently, they focused their like The Namibian who ensured that struggle against apartheid on filling all Namibians utilise their “right to the gaps left by the colonial admin- freedom of opinion and expression” istration, such as building schools, – including the freedom to hold opin- health facilities and other community ions without interference, and impart development projects. information and ideas regardless of The transition from resistance frontiers”. n

THE INTERNATIONAL CONSORTIUM OF INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISTS

The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) wishes to congratulate The Namibian as it marks 30 years of quality reporting.

ICIJ is a nonprofit organisation based in Washington DC and was founded in 1997. ICIJ works with hundreds of journalists across the globe, including those from The Namibian, on investigations of global importance.

ICIJ has a deep and long-standing relationship with The Namibian whose founder, Gwen Lister, is a key part of ICIJ’s network as well as an advisory committee member.

We are always delighted to work with The Namibian and its talented journalists who believe, like we do, in the power of cross-border collaboration.

ICIJ looks forward to working with The Namibian into the future and more international collaborations to come.

Gerard Ryle Director of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists 36 31 August 2015

Photo: Adam Hartman

PARTNERS ... Konrad and Gabi Woermann are not only lifelong partners as husband and wife but the two have also been lifelong partners with The Namibian. Woermann Brock supported the cause of The Namibian Photo: Contributed

MORE POWER … The solar panels on the roof of Woermann Hyper • ADAM HARTMAN Khomasdal, the largest grid-connected solar panels in Namibia in 2013. HE Namibian is not just a newspaper with news stories Tbut has also been used by customers (some very diligently are, through our products and service ing it as an anti-government Swapo over the years) to advertise their delivery, and, like The Namibian, mouthpiece. products. One such customer is one telling it like it is,” she said. “It was not appropriate to support of the oldest businesses in the country: According to her, this was the The Namibian but we knew as much Woermann Brock reason why the retailer with branch- as the founder, Gwen Lister, that Woermann Brock stood with this es across the country saw it fit to Namibia would become independ- newspaper through thick and thin advertise through The Namibian ent through Resolution 435. The and the company is concerned for even though the newspaper was not Namibian needed our support and the well-being of the majority of the popular with some citizens and the we always support those who need Namibian people – this being the ruling government three decades ago. it,” said Gabi. “It was what both “glue in the partnership” between The Namibian was passionate of us stood for that united us, even The Namibian and Woermann Brock, about an independent Namibia; a when we were considered unpopular, according to Gabi Woermann. liberation from the old SA and its liberal and progressive at the time.” Photo: Contributed “There are those who think of their apartheid rule, and this passion did Gabi Woermann was an activist in own interests and pockets. There are not sit well with those on the side her own right for a just, independent HISTORIC … The famous Woermann House at Swakopmund. also those who believe in the cause of this apartheid rule, rejecting what and democratic government as she, and well-being of the people, like we this newspaper stood for and view- with the support of her husband

Powering the people’s paper

For the past 30 years the company has been a strategic partner with HELL first established a pres- Namibia as the official distributor and tegic areas, runs a nationwide depot The Namibian which has been ence in Namibia in the early marketer of Shell branded fuels. network, and is considered one of the S1900s, before becoming an inde- Today, Vivo Energy Namibia sup- market’s leading suppliers. carrying our advertising campaigns. pendent marketing company in 1975. plies many of the country’s major For the past 30 years the company In 2012, Vivo Energy launched in mines, has service stations in stra- has been a strategic partner with The 31 August 2015 37 Company history

n 1 October 1894 the “Da- mother company in Hamburg had rented buildings (in the present day mara & Namaqua Han- lost a large part of its capital. Only building occupied by A. Kriess & Odelsgesellschaft mbH” the branches in Swakopmund and Co.). In 1950 Kurt Schmerenbeck was established in Hamburg to Windhoek continued to operate at in co-operation with Ascan and carry on trade in the German a very modest level. Erich Woermann build August colony South West Africa. From After being in charge of the Schmerenbeck Haus in Independ- 1900 until the beginning of World company for 30 years, Eduard ence Avenue, where in 1966 a War I, at times up to 32 branches Wardesky died in 1929 and was supermarket with just 3 tills was of this company existed in places succeeded by Wilhelm Brock. opened; Woermann, Brock & Co. such as Lüderitz, Rehoboth, Outjo, World depression as well as years became only the second business Tsumeb, Grootfontein, Keetman- of extreme draught hampered the in Windhoek to offer self-service shoop etc. Goods offered ranged development of trade. During the shopping. Clients were intrigued by from maize to water pumping latter half of the 30s, circumstances being able to collect their shopping equipment. An advertisement in the took an upswing. items from the shelves. “Taschenbuch für Südwest-Africa” However, upon the outbreak of In 1960 Konrad Woermann took for 1913 provides an overview of the Second World War in 1939 the charge of the management of Wo- the activities of the company at administration of the company was ermann, Brock & Co. Under his the time. The business was already taken over by the Custodian of En- leadership during the early 1990’s subdivided for general goods, a emy Property, almost resulting in the business in Independence Av- technical division, an agricultural the total collapse of the company. enue was enlarged and turned into division and a mining division. Following the war, Wilhelm Brock a modern supermarket. Branches In Swakopmund the company were erected in Klein Windhoek, erected the well-known ‘Wo- After being in charge Katutura and Olympia. In 1998 he ermann Haus’ and the Damara entrusted the management to his ‘Turn’ as well as the first power of the company for 30 sons Jesko and Ingo Woermann station in Southern Africa. The years, Eduard Wardesky and in 2001 retired due to failing ‘Afrika-Bank’, with headquarters past away in 1929 and health. in Swakopmund, also was part of In order to satisfy the increasing the ‘Damara & Namaqua Handels- was succeeded by expectations and demands of the gesellschaft mbH’. Wilhelm Brock. rapidly increasing population in On 1 April 1909 the company Windhoek, more branches were was renamed ‘Woermann, Brock & opened including Eros, Hoch- Co.’ The first partners were Adolph took charge of the company in landpark, Khomasdal, Otjomuise, Konrad Woermann, did not agree the news at the time. The newspaper and Eduard Woermann, Max Brock Swakopmund and Willem Eng- Wanaheda, Ombili, Masego, Sowe- with the previous rule. was not influenced by the system and Arnold Amsinck, Eduard berts in Windhoek. to and Rehoboth. Asked if it had an effect on busi- and that is what made it so strong Wardesky, who had been in charge It is thanks to resourceful men Further developments include ness, she said: “It was our company and influential. People trusted The of the company in South West Afri- such as Ascan Woermann, Wilhelm the reconstructed /Ae //Gams who was there to ensure that the Namibian’s integrity and frankness.” ca since 1899, stayed on as general Brock, Emil Heinrichsen, Willem branch which now covers more people get affordable basic household She said that post-independence also manager of the company, which had Engberts, Erich Woermann and than 2000m² as well as the massive products, and, it was those people who calls for unbiased reporting. its headquarters in Swakopmund. Wilfred Matheis that Woermann, Woermann Hyper Wholesaler in needed this the most at the time, whom “The newspaper still needs to be In those days Woermann, Brock & Brock & Co. continued to exist. Khomasdal. A modern everyday The Namibian also represented. a watchdog even in an independent Co owned a wide strip of erven in After separating their capital from supermarket is now situated in “We were a Namibian company Namibia, which is sadly plagued by Swakopmund as well as numerous the mother company in Hamburg, the Maerua Shopping Mall in since 1894 long – before independ- corruption. This independent report- properties throughout the country. they energetically went about re- Windhoek and a Continental ence,” she said. ing also has to educate Namibians These were the “golden” years constructing the business. Supermarket in Somerset Mall in Woermann said that independent about their rights, opportunities and for trade in South West Africa as Initially business was carried on Somerset-West in South Africa. journalism is as important today as duties, resulting in true ownership. well as for the company’s Africa in the company’s own buildings Ignoring the opportunities in it was 30 years ago. “Free press is something that must Shipping Company, maintained by close to the present railway depot. the northern regions of Namibia “It was independent journalism be protected especially with the the mother company C Woermann Subsequently, while Wilhelm would be unlike Woermann Brock that informed Namibians of the undercurrents of regulation that are in Hamburg. Brock and Emil Henrichsen were and subsequently a large whole- change that was needed from the old brooding,” she said. The outbreak of the First World in charge, a department store was saler now serves the Ondangwa system and creation of an independ- According to Gabi, the company War on 1 August 1914 put an end erected in the centre of town, more whilst Oshakati is covered with a ent Namibia. The editor and her team will continue to support this news- to all these activities as shipping or less on the site on which Frans supermarket as well as a separate were not afraid to expose the injus- paper as long as it remains the voice of supplies from Germany became Indongo Gardens is situated today, wholesaler. n tices of the former government while of the people and continues ‘telling impossible. A new start had to be opposite the Old Mutual Building. The Woermann Brock legacy also keeping Namibians abreast of it like it is!’ n made by the end of the war. The Later the business moved into continues ...

Vivo Energy and the pany supports. Vivo Energy Namibia Community and the National Road Safety Coun- Vivo Energy Namibia wants to cil (NRSC) have partnered together make a real and lasting difference to reduce the number of fatalities to the communities in which we and accidents on the B1 road over operate. Our community investment the month of April 2014. programmes matter to us because we • Vivo Energy Namibia also part- employ local people and serve local nered a local newspaper to distribute businesses and individuals. We want educational material on road safety to create lasting social and economic and road safety signs. The initiative benefits for these communities and was aimed at educating drivers and engage with them to earn their respect potential drivers as to the proper and trust. We have chosen to focus meaning of road signs. on three key areas of community investment. These are road safety, Vivo Energy and HSSE education and the environment. Our commitment to achieving and Below are a few of the projects we maintaining the highest international have focused on: Health, Safety, Security and Envi- • Vivo Energy Namibia launched a ronment (HSSE) standards is at the Namibian which has been carrying our World Environment Day activity on heart of our business and is a key advertising campaigns. the 5th June 2015 aimed at reaching differentiator for Vivo Energy in As Shell’s exclusive licensee in school going children. The project Africa. Being the best in HSSE is not Africa, Vivo Energy is proud to offer aims to create awareness about an objective that sits apart from our the very best of Shell’s products and environmental issues in Namibia. overall ambitions. It is an integral and services to both retail and commer- School going children could collect essential part of our business plan. cial customers across the continent. a colour in sheet filled with facts Vivo Energy Namibia would like These include Shell’s world-class on the environment and enter the to congratulate The Namibian news- differentiated fuels and lubricants; competition. The winners and their paper on 30 years of keeping the industry-leading technological and schools each received a cash prize. nation informed. May The Namibian technical expertise; and personal, • Vivo Energy Namibia has various continue to grow from strength to dedicated customer service. road safety initiatives which the com- strength. n 38 31 August 2015

/ Ê
 
"* " Ê ,
9Ê- */ ,ÊәÊÓääÈÊÇ

/",
 "˜Ê Àˆ“iÊ
˜`Ê *՘ˆÃ “i˜Ì

! -5,4) -),,)/. $/,,!2 CASE OF FRAUD INVOLVING A FORMER $EFENCE -INISTRY OFlCIAL COULD NOT BUT SHOCK THOSE WHO HAVE FOLLOWED IT EVEN THOUGH .AMIBIANS ARE BY NOW TO A LARGE EXTENT LARGELY IMMUNE TO THEFT ON GRAND SCALE 7HAT HAS POSSIBLY ANNOYED PEOPLE MOST IS THE PLEA FOR LENIENCY LODGED BY HIS LAWYER ON THE GROUNDS OF HIS PERSONAL ILL HEALTH AND THE VULNER ABILITY OF THE FAMILY OF %MMANUEL -UNUNGA 7HEN ONE CONSIDERS THE CREATIVITY AND SCALE OF THE FRAUDULENT ACTS THIS MAN COMMITTED AS WELL AS THE EXTENSIVE TIME FRAME OF SOME FOUR YEARS DURING WHICH HE CONTINUED TO DEFRAUD 3ANLAM .AMIBIA IT WOULD BE A PITY INDEED IF THE COURT WERE TO LEND A SYMPATHETIC EAR TO HIS REQUEST (E ABUSED HIS POSITION TO COMMIT SOME  CASES OF FRAUD TOTALLING SOME .  MILLION ALL TOLD AND MOST OF WHICH INVOLVED SUBMITTING FALSE CLAIMS FOR PAYMENT OF DEATH BENElTS WHICH WOULD ORDINARILY BE PAID TO RELATIVES OF .AMIBIA $EFENCE &ORCE MEMBERS WHO HAD DIED -UNUNGA HIMSELF ASKED FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE COURT BUT HIS APOLOGY AND PLEA FOR MERCY SEEM FALSE WHEN HIS ACTS WERE SO CLEARLY CALCULATED AND PREMEDITATED 3TAY #OOL !ND %NJOY #APITALISM (ARD TO BELIEVE ALSO THAT IN A PERIOD OF FOUR YEARS HE CAN ONLY ACCOUNT FOR A lGURE OF And unfortunately, not Riruako would say: you .  WHICH HE INDICATED HE WAS PREPARED everyone can get onto either take it or go and TO PAY BACK TO 3ANLAM BUT THE LIONS SHARE OF THE AMOUNT NEARLY . MILLION HAS ALREADY BEEN that jet. The majority hang yourself. But on a SPENT have to make do with more serious note, it is )T IS NOT A CASE WHICH ELICITS MUCH IN THE WAY donkey carts. Most are up to the consumers and OF PUBLIC SYMPATHY AND IS ONCE AGAIN ONE WHICH thus left behind lan- citizens to go back to the HIGHLIGHTS THE ALMOST ENDEMIC PROBLEM OF THEFT guishing in shacks or drawing board and to AND FRAUD IN .AMIBIA AT THIS POINT IN OUR HISTORY townships – basically start asking some fun- !LSO THIS WEEK ONE OF THE &")S @MOST WANTED labour reserves. The damental questions as to A HIGH mYING !MERICAN BUSINESSMAN WANTED IN !LEXACTUS 4 +AURE only consolation is that whether this is the kind THAT COUNTRY ON A SERIES OF FRAUD CHARGES WAS AR capitalism has made it of economic system and RESTED IN 7INDHOEK JUST a few weeks ago, it was the banks that ap- easy for them to bring the kind of leadership 7ITHOUT DOUBT HE WILL BE EXTRADITED TO THE 53 peared in the court of public opinion. And now in pre-paid meters for they want to have. Is the IN ORDER TO STAND TRIAL THERE AND WILL ALMOST CER it’s the City of Windhoek. They all stood accused water, electricity etc. leadership steering the TAINLY RECEIVE A STIFF JAIL TERM FOR SECURITIES FRAUD of robbing customers and consumers through eliminating the need ship to the promised land 7E DO NOT KNOW WHY THE BUSINESSMAN IN QUES some creative banking fees and electricity tariff #,/
,4+&+$

-,01
,#? "
of prosperity or is it just TION *ACOB @+OBI !LEXANDER CHOSE .AMIBIA structures respectively. box – which also costs making sure that the ship TO HIDE OUT BUT HIS ARREST IN 7INDHOEK SIMPLY money. doesn’t sink but stays SERVED TO UNDERSCORE THE CONCERN OF MANY .A The banks promised tive idiot in Govern- Mind you, Namibia is And as if the user permanently moored in MIBIANS ABOUT THE CRIMES OF THEFT AND FRAUD AND customers that they ment decided that, in one big capitalist mo- fees were not enough Lüderitz harbour? The LINKED WITH IT THE PUNISHMENT THAT IS METED OUT would explain their addition to NamPower, nopoly – what Henning to strangle many of problem in Namibia is TO THOSE WHO TRANSGRESS fee structures. They some extra electricity Melber characterises the poor to death; here that people behave as if 3OMEHOW THE MESSAGE HAS TO BE DRIVEN HOME haven’t. Maybe they distributors would be as: ‘Namibia Pty Ltd’. comes the municipality they have no political THAT IT IS UNACCEPTABLE TO STEAL AND THAT PEOPLE WHO DO SO PARTICULARLY THOSE IN POSITIONS OF TRUST need a retreat to a local needed to serve dif- There is no competition again. This time they choice to make and that AND RESPONSIBILITY MUCH LIKE -UNUNGA AND OTH lodge to brainstorm and ferent regions. This is and thus no choices. say: one shebeen per perhaps fate has sealed ERS WHO HOLD MORE SENIOR POSTS SHOULD BE DEALT come up with some crea- how these entities with Thus these entities have street. The attack on everything. Yes, we WITH SUMMARILY AND HARSHLY tive reasons. We have to their ironic acronyms the right to fix their the poor is unbeliev- have an economic sys- 4HE !NTI #ORRUPTION #OMMISSION HAS BEEN give them time. But I’m of REDs were born. prices as they wish. You able and is coming from tem that has no choices SET UP FOR THIS PURPOSE AND WHILE THEY HAVE GONE sure the answer would So, for example, if you either buy their services all directions – even presently, but on the PUBLIC ON A NUMBER OF SMALLER CASES THAT THEY run something like this: live in Windhoek and and products or you will people at institutions political front, I think, HAVE INVESTIGATED INVOLVING THEFT THE @BIG lSH “our banking fees are own a house in Oshakati be buried. This applies of higher learning have we do have some that we AND THE LARGER CASES HAVE NOT BEEN DEALT WITH in line with acceptable and an apartment in to the other actors in our joined in the assault. can make use of, only if QUITE SO SPEEDILY international accounting Henties Bay, you will economy too. So, for ex- I laughed when I read people can start getting 7HERE CASES HAVE BEEN THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATED standards and practices probably receive elec- ample, don’t be fooled about the “one street, out of their boxes. AND THE SUSPECTS HAVE BEEN CHARGED IT IS VITALLY and also the lowest in tricity bills from three by the eventual entry one shebeen” decree. And I’m not talking IMPORTANT THAT THESE HEARINGS BE lNALISED AS the Southern Africa ‘different companies’ into the Namibian mar- I said to myself: how about ideological choic- SPEEDILY AS POSSIBLE region”. with three different fee ket by a new cellphone about some of the very es here. All, I’m saying 4HOUGH NOT IN THE AMBIT OF THE !## COURT And as for the City, structures. company. MTC and the long streets like Inde- is that even within the CASES SUCH AS THAT INVOLVING THE FORMER $IRECTOR well, customers will Before the REDs new kid on the block pendence Avenue – the same political party you 'ENERAL OF THE ."# 'ERRY -UNYAMA SHOULD IN have to wait for the man- were created, the con- 4&))
?+!
0,*"
/"1&3"
portion starting from find individuals with FACT HAVE BEEN lNISHED ALREADY 4HIS WOULD SEND agers to return from their sumer used to look ways, just like the banks the ‘Groot Winkels’ different commitments, POSITIVE SIGNALS TO THE PUBLIC THAT SUCH CASES WILL holiday in Mombasa, after NamPower and do, to maintain MTC’s in Katutura, going all skills and understand- BE EXPEDITED SO THAT THE PERPETRATORS CANNOT DELAY Kenya, before we get the municipalities; now neck-breaking fees. the way to Goreangab ing. Go for the good OR EVEN ESCAPE JUSTICE BY ENDLESS POSTPONEMENTS an explanation. there is third child in the Now the Constitu- Dam? ones. %VEN THE -UNUNGA CASE CITED ABOVE HAS TAKEN NEARLY SIX YEARS TO BE lNALISED (E WAS ARRESTED IN Now, if I were a judge, family to feed. There are tion says Namibia will +
1%"
?+)
+)60&0
But the bottom line is .OVEMBER  AND THIS IS AN UNACCEPTABLY LONG I would pronounce on now three sets of CEOs, be a mixed economy. there is no need for the this: if I am a manager TIME FOR WHAT APPEARED TO BE A CASE AS OPEN AND these issues. managers and general Yes it might be so on outcry about exorbitant ,#
,/-,/1"
?++ "
1
SHUT AS THAT OF -UNYAMA The City case is fairly managers, distributing paper, but the political fees and prices. We have a parastatal making 7ITH REGARD THE !NTI #ORRUPTION #OMMISSION simple. And the problem electricity, to look after leadership has decided opted for this kind of about N$55 000 per TOO IT WOULD BE POSITIVE TO SEE AN INVESTIGATION is of our own making. – and they don’t come that they don’t want system. We have also month, why should I be SUCH AS THAT INVOLVING .AMIBIA ,IQUID &UELS AND Here you have a country cheaply. And because of that mix – they want it elected the current crop bothered by a ‘mere’ ten THE PAYOUTS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN DIVIDENDS TO of less than two mil- these untenable arrange- pure. So, they just turn a of leadership whether per cent increase in elec- CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS BEING DEALT WITH VERY QUICKLY lion people – that’s the ments, many people are blind eye as the country they are in Government, tricity or water tariffs or 7E WOULD APPEAL FOR THE INSTITUTIONS RESPON population of an aver- now in the red. slides into a pure private the municipalities or high banking or airtime SIBLE SUCH AS THE !## ANDOR THE 0OLICE THEM age town somewhere Taken together, the economy at the speed parastatals and this is the fees etc? These are SELVES TO ENSURE QUICK AND THOROUGH INVESTIGA in Ghana. two accused, the banks of a supersonic jet. The kind of leadership qual- peanuts. I would rather TION AND FOR THE COURTS IN TURN TO lNALISE THE The problem came and the City, haven’t private and public have ity they are able to bring stay cool and enjoy the TRIALS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE )T WOULD BE IN THE about because one crea- done anything wrong. been collapsed into one. to the table. And as Chief system. INTERESTS OF lGHTING CRIME

CYANMAGENTAYELLOWBLACK 31 August 2015 39

Dudley’s Cartoons of the past 40 31 August 2015

The team taught us to never take freedom of the press for granted as there are other journalists who have been jailed and killed for what they exposed in Southern Africa Development Community and the DRINK TO THAT... Investigative journalist Sally Evans contemplates opening one of the bottles of champagne to cel- world at large. ebrate the interns’ last days.This is while Ndanki Kahiurika, Botswana Gazette’s Tebogo Kgalemang and investigator Tabelo Timse look on. Preparing for the future

• NDANKI KAHIURIKA there are other journalists who have change will come, be it 10 years African Development Community and getting the much-needed tips for been jailed and killed for what they from now or the next day. (SADC) in a bid to encourage inves- investigative journalism. NE would assume with the exposed in Southern Africa Devel- Situated in Rosebank, Johannes- tigative reporting within the region. Drew, who meets with the team strict approach to internships opment Community and the world burg, AmaBhungane is an investiga- Over the course of 2014, four every Monday, Wednesday and Fri- Oat AmaBhungane, there at large. tive training unit attached to widely journalists from The Namibian, now day, would always ask if there was any would be no fun times. In this regard, you learn to spend respected South African newspaper, celebrating 30 years of independent progress with the stories in a bid to But I found that my expectations sleepless nights and days on end dig- the Mail and Guardian. reporting, did three-month stints at keep reporters on their toes for the were wide off the mark. Work is fun. ging and trying to get the story done. Established in 2011 by award-win- the unit. Friday M&G publication. The team taught us to never take Happy in the world of investiga- ning journalists, the unit has hosted 40 They are Tileni Mongudhi, Luqman Teamwork, being key to executing freedom of the press for granted as tions is knowing that justice and journalist interns from the Southern Cloete, Shinovene Immanuel and any investigative piece, is a golden Ndanki Kahiurika. rule at the unit where everyone chips The three months not only chang- in where their strengths apply. es your perception of investigative The journalists are trained how to journalism since you get to interact tackle investigative pieces and then with other journalists, but you are they take these skills back to their exposed to what the culture of writing home countries where some media is while learning about their approach have started their own investigative to stories. reporting units. On arrival at the Johannesburg “The intention is to create a offices, interns undergo an induction network of cooperating centres and stay in a flat less than five minutes’ across the region who will feed walk from the offices. information to one another, particu- The unit, which also has offices in larly about cross-border crime and Cape Town and Durban, consists of corruption. In this way, it is hoped Drew Forest, investigative journalist that journalists can help make their Sally Evans, Lionel Faull and Tabelo own politicians, businesspeople Happy Timse, as well as ever-smiling admin- and other wielders of power more istrator Nomagugu Nyoni. democratically accountable,” said th The other two offices in Durban and Drew in an interview. 30 Birthday Cape Town are run by AmaBhungane While getting direct training, co-founders Sam Sole, Stefaans interns need to keep their ears open Brummer and investigative journalist and be attentive in the newsroom Craig McKune. all the time. to the Namibian The rectangular-shaped editorial If they listen carefully, they can room situated in a corner of the Mail pick up interviewing tactics from and Guardian offices is where the Lionel as he talks on the phone or Bank Windhoek congratulates interns focus on sharpening their skills assist Sally with one of her stories you on “telling it like it is” for the past 30 years.

www.bankwindhoek.com.na CELEBRATING GOOD TIMES ... Interns Ndanki Kahiurika, the Ground- Up’s Barbara Maragele and Botswana Gazette’s Tebogo Kgalemang having a good time at the office. 31 August 2015 41

TEAM SELFIE ... The three interns with associate partner Drew Forest, Nomagugu Nyoni and Sally Evans of AmaBhungane.

and get to go around Joburg with her alone. Journalists working in groups can for interviews. Tabelo is always willing deliver a far better story,” said Shinovene. to help with research. He said journalists need to invest time These are challenges journalists face and spend sleepless nights if necessary in Namibia when tackling investigative poring over documents or doing research. pieces. Lack of proper information Luqman said his time at AmaBhun- for stories and deadlines are always a gane was an eye-opener. challenge. He says local media houses need to Speaking about his experience at the invest in programmes to support inves- unit, The Namibian’s Shinovene said tigative journalism. he learned about teamwork, informa- In a bid to do more and continue tion-gathering skills and networking giving the public a good read as well as which can maximise the potential of bring about change through exposing producing greater investigative pieces. cronyism, corruption among others, The “I believe Namibian journalists can Namibian is pushing for an investigative produce better stories if we stop being unit spearheaded by its editor Tangeni selfish by preferring to working on stories Amupadhi. n

&RPHYLVLWXV&RPHYLVLWXV We’reWe’re alwaysalways happyhappy toto seesee you...you...

Y AD

H T IB R

ht 30 Y PP HA Tel: +264 61 225 901 - Fax: +264 61 225 801 three way works car wash and products. Mail: [email protected] 42 31 August 2015 31 August 2015 43

OPEN TO THE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC etro PUBLIC etro NAMIBIA NAMIBIA A Sefalana Group Company A Sefalana Group Company

Metro Namibia ...GIVES YOU MORE!! Congratulates The Namibian Newspaper on their 30th Birthday Anniversary.

Available at: Metro Hyper • Windhoek • Swakopmund • Walvisbay • Mariental • Keetmanshoop • Tsumeb • Rundu Ondangwa • Oshakati • Otjiwarongo • Gobabis • Katima

N$ 99 N$ N$ 79 Each 99 Each 6 17Each 9 Romi - Margerine Brick Marathon - White Sugar 30 x 500 G Rice King - Parboiled Rice 20 x 1 KG Pack 209.69 10 x 2 KG Pack 194.99 Pack 179.89

N$ 99 N$ 99 N$ 99 8Each 11 Each 15 Each Marathon Light Brown Sugar All Gold - Tomato Sauce Crystal Gold - Mayonnaise 10 x 1 KG 6 x 350 ML 12 x 750 G Pack 179.99 Pack 71.89 Pack 191.89

N$ 99 N$ 99 N$ 99 N$ 49 8Each 12 Each 13 Each 3 Each Crystal Gold Bull Brand Viennas Sunflower Oil in Brine Eloolo - Corned Meat Knorr Packet Soup 12 x 375 ML 6 x 275 G 6 x 300 G 10 x 1’s Pack 107.89 Pack 77.89 Pack 83.89 Pack 33.89

SPECIALS VALID: FROM 31 AUGUST - 1 SEPTEMBER 2015

ALL PRICES AND ILLISTRATIONS ARE CORRECT AT TIME GOING TO PRESS. HOWEVER THE MANAGEMENT OF METRO CANNOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY CHANGES OR PRINTING ERRORS THAT MAY OCCUR. ALL PRICES ADVERTISED INCLUDE VAT UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED E&OE WHILE STOCK LAST. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO LIMIT QUANTITIES L.9 44 31 August 2015

THEN AND NOW ... A selection of adverts that have appeared in The Namibian over the past three decades. A number of advertisers have been with the paper since day one. These pages also illustrate the changing face of advertising.

The Namibian Squash Association wishes The Namibian a Happy 30th Anniversary!

https://www.facebook.com/namsquash

Dear Readers and Advertisers. Please note that we have moved to Frans Indongo Complex, Chelsea Fashions wishes The Namibian a Happy 30th Anniversary! Unit 13 - Oshakati Main Road Visit us today to create and complement your lifestyle.

Notice: We are moving from Independence Avenue. Visit our new premises at Hyper-Motor City by the end of September 2015.

Tel: +264 61 231 154 | Website: www.chelsea.com.na | Find us on: www.namibian.com.na 31 August 2015 45

POLYTECHNIC OF NAMIBIA DEPARTMENT OF MARKETING, University of Science and Technology COMMUNICATIONS & ALUMNI

Apply NOW!...please note due date! Learners who wish to apply to the PoN are kindly requested to familiarise themselves with the programmes/qualifications on offer as well as the admission requirements and the procedures to be followed: Ø After deciding on a qualification, you may apply In addition to the above-mentioned online (www.polytechnic.edu.na) or you may documents, the following categories of submit an application form at the PoN Main applicants must also submit the indicated Campus, any of the Regional Centres or by documents: mail. After applying online you will be notified : immediately that your application has been • Mature Age Entry Scheme Applicants Reference letter from your employer(s); received. • Postgraduate/Advanced Standing: Ø Strategic self-help stations have been Certified copies of qualification(s) established on the Main Campus as well as the obtained after Grade 12 (e.g. Diploma, Regional Centres for applicants who do not Degree, etc.), have access to internet services. These points • Original academic record/transcripts will be in operation from 08:00 to 15:00 daily. including complete syllabus. Ø Submit only ONE application. Make sure • Foreign applicants: that you complete the entire application - Latest qualification in original language; form. Incomplete applications will not be A translation into English if the considered. qualification is in a language other than Ø The following certified copies of documents English, must accompany your application: - NQA Evaluation if obtained outside the 1. Identity Document/Birth Certificate SADC Region. (Namibian citizens); Ø Faxed copies of application forms or 2. Passport (non-Namibian citizens); supporting documents will not be accepted. Ø 3. Proof of payment (e.g. bank deposit slip); Applicants should provide a valid e-mail address since all correspondence will be 4. Latest school results e.g. Namibian Senior conducted via e-mail. Secondary Certificate (NSSC); Grade 12 learners should include their August 2015 results; 5. Declaration and Undertaking. If you are under the age of 18, the application form must be co-signed by your parent or legal guardian. Apply online as from 1 August and pay only N$80! LATE APPLICATION DUE DATE: WOW..thats Late Applications for 2016 are NOW being accepted! cheap! Late Appliations Close: 1-30 September 2015 ...I need to make up my GENERAL ENQUIRIES: mind... mechanical, electrical or mining The Student Information Officer: Tel: +264 61 2072056, engineering...?? Email: [email protected] 46 31 August 2015 Printing our own

Since February this year The Namibian is printed by WordPress. The company is a joint venture between the Namibia Media Trust (NMT), the owners of The Namibian and local businessman Wolfram Jauss. WordPress’ total investment – including print works, property and plant – stood at N$69 million when it started printing The Namibian in Febru- ary, part of which was financed by the Devel- opment Bank of Na- mibia. The WordPress management team has a combined experience of over 100 years in the printing industry.

Photos: Lou Jones and Henry van Rooi

Contact us at: www.aucornamibia.comN a m [email protected] Swakopmund: Tel: +264 64 463374/5 Fax: +264 64 463361 Windhoek: Tel: +264 61 257945/6 Fax: +264 61 257947 Ongwediva: Phillip Cell: +264 81 279 2326 Tel/Fax: +264 65 230186

AFTER 21 YEARS OF EXISTENCE, AUCOR NAMIBIA (PTY) LTD, WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE NAMIBIAN FOR EXCELLENT ADVERT SERVICES AND STANDING BY US THROUGH ALL THE YEARS, WE WISH THE NAMIBIAN A HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND WE BELIEVE WE WILL WALK THE NEXT 30 YEARS WITH YOU WITH PRIDE.

30 X CONGRATULATIONS !!!!!

CONTACT: NORMA COWLEY - 081 166 5219, NEIL ENGELBRECHT - 081 128 2671, ALEX MACDONALD - 081 128 6821 Website: www.aucornamibia.com email: [email protected] 31 August 2015 47

CONSTRUCTION & CONTRACTING SERVICES PERFECT WORKS INVESTMENTS CC

Services: ➢ Construction ➢ Renovations ➢ Plumbing ➢ Fencing ➢ Electrical ➢ Aluminium works ➢ Rehabilitation of sewerage works ➢ Rehabilitation and maintenance of concrete works ➢ PVC water reservoirs

PERFECT WORKS INVESTMENTS Wishes The Namibian a happy 30th Anniversary! For all your construction and maintenance work, contact us today.

P O Box 3754, Windhoek, NAMIBIA Mobile: +264 81 241 2502 / 81 128 5909 Tel: 061 - 227 253 / Fax: 061 - 227 256 E-mail: [email protected] Reg. No. CC/2009/19285.

Our God shall perfect all that concerns our clients: Psalm 138:8 SUPER TYRES RETIREMENT FUND SOLUTIONS WHEELS 4 ALL NAMIBIA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION WOERMANN BROCK AUCOR FIRST NATIONAL BANK HARTLIEF NHP ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF NAMIBIA BANK WINDHOEK PERFECT PLUMBING & RENOVATIONS STANDARD BANK NAMIBIA PROP VESTORS NAMIBIA STATISTICS AGENCY CHELSEA FASHIONS SEAFLOWER WHITEFISH METRO CASH & CARRY CAPRO LTD NAMIBIAN SQUASH ASSOCIATION LUDERITZ WATERFRONT M&Z MOTORS SPICE CORP NAMIBIA POLYTECHNIC OF NAMIBIA MANICA GROUP NAMIBIA [PTY] AFROX SCHOEMANS JOHN MEINERT PRINTING (PTY) LTD AUAS MOTORS PTY LTD AUTOHAUS WINDHOEK KARNIC DISTRIBUTORS CC AUTOHAUS

Tel: (061) 279600; Fax: 279602; PO Box 20783, Windhoek; e-mail: [email protected]; website: www.namibian.com.na