Media Monitoring on Urban Development in Namibia

Media Monitoring on Urban Development in Namibia is a service provided by Development Workshop Namibia (DWN), a registered Namibian NGO with a focus on sustainable urban development and poverty reduction. DWN is part of a world-wide network of Development Workshop (DW) organisations with centres in Canada, Angola and France, and offices in Vietnam and Burkino Faso. It was founded in the 1970s by three architect students in the UK and has been funded by non- governmental organisations, private citizens, and national and international development organisations.

In Namibia, DWN’s activities focus on urban related research, effective urban planning for the urban poor, solutions to informal settlements, water & sanitation, and projects specifically targeting disadvantaged segments of the urban youth. Through 40 years of engagement on urban issues mainly in Africa and Asia, the DW network of organisations has acquired significant institutional knowledge and capacity and is well integrated in regional and international networks.

The Namibian media provide an important source of information on urban development processes in the country, highlighting current events, opportunities and challenges. The media further provide insight into the different views and perceptions of a variety of actors, be it from government, non- government, private sector, and individuals that reside in Namibia’s towns and settlements.

It is therefore hoped that DWN’s Media Monitoring service will provide insights into those different views, with potential use for a variety of institutions and decision-makers that work in the urban environment in Namibia.

The Media Monitoring service is currently provided on a monthly basis and monitors the following newspapers: The Namibian, Republikein, Namibian Sun, New Era, Windhoek Observer, Confidente, and Informante.

The articles are grouped into following categories: Compiled by: Hilja Amvula 1. Urban Planning, Land & Housing Edited by: 2. Urban Infrastructure and Services Ester Veiko Produced by: 3. Livelihoods and Urban Economy Development Workshop Namibia 4. Environment & Human Health Address: The text of the news articles has not been altered and thus 18 Nachtigal Street reflects the opinion of the respective media outlets, and not PO Box 40723, Ausspannplatz that of DWN. We hope you find this service useful and Windhoek, Namibia 061 240 140 interesting. DWN is keen to improve the service and [email protected] welcomes suggestions and comments.

Yours sincerely,

Development Workshop Namibia With support from: Namibian Chamber of Environment

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Table of Contents

1 URBAN PLANNING, LAND & HOUSING ...... 5 1.1 Low-cost housing prioritised ...... 5 1.2 Erindi plays ball with AR ...... 5 1.3 Councillors impatient with slow housing delivery ...... 7 1.4 Unhappiness brews over plots ...... 7 1.5 Koes village resident lives in a toilet ...... 8 1.6 City of Windhoek calls for bids to demolish shacks ...... 9 1.7 Home is where the heart is ...... 9 1.8 Museum squatters face eviction ...... 10 1.9 Walvis Bay allocates N$ 107m to land development ...... 10 1.10 Kombat residents protest against Katti ...... 11 1.11 Konstruksie steeds op sy knieë ...... 12 1.12 Oshakati to phase out informal settlements...... 12 1.13 NHE to spend N$10m on informal housing ...... 13 1.14 Mushelenga to address Omuthiya over compensation ...... 14 1.15 Oshakati to spend 44% on erven ...... 15 1.16 Swakopmund council reserves N$850 000 for emergency shelter ...... 15

2 URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES ...... 17 2.1 Water woes at Amarika to ease in June ...... 17 2.2 Tsumkwe grapples without-of-service mortuaries ...... 17 2.3 Farmers await completion of Rundu abattoir ...... 18 2.4 32 plots electrified in Onayena settlement ...... 19 2.5 Lack of budgeting hinders water provision in Ohangwena ...... 19 2.6 Technology comes to Namutoni ...... 20 2.7 Prepaid water for Blikkiesdorp ...... 21 2.8 Rundu’s Dr Sam Nujoma drive to be rehabilitated for N$3.4 million ...... 21 2.9 Katima’s dry water taps annoy residents ...... 21 2.10 Unwavering passion at Ondangwa Private Hospital ...... 22 2.11 Swakopmund Municipality prioritises infrastructure improvement ...... 22

3 LIVELIHOOD AND URBAN ECONOMY ...... 24 3.1 Street vendors at Otjiwarongo secure selling points ...... 24 3.2 Gibeon cries, we have been forgotten ...... 24 3.3 Windhoek Charity Fundraiser this weekend ...... 25 3.4 Keetmanshoop hosts gala to promote upcoming expo ...... 26 3.5 Jobless turn trash into cash ...... 27 3.6 Namoysters’ highly sought-after ...... 27 3.7 Job losses as Etosha Fishing sells its vessels ...... 28 3.8 Walvis Bay Port investment to grow ...... 29 3.9 Fishing company to the rescue ...... 29 3.10 Otjozondjupa governor declares Tsumkwe a special area ...... 30 3.11 Workers at Katima’s Oshilongo Energy fear retrenchments ...... 30 3.12 Hangana Seafood to construct N$300 million factory ...... 31 3.13 Grootfontein grapples with challenges ...... 31 3.14 Omuthiya positions itself as preferred business destination ...... 32 3.15 Vetkoek business gets a boost at Okaku ...... 32 3

3.16 SMEs drive economic growth ...... 33 3.17 OTIE brings hope to Ondangwa ...... 33 3.18 Indongo Ford sets up shop in north ...... 34 3.19 Counting the cost of theft ...... 35 3.20 Nearly N$ 900 000 raised for Oshakati Totem Expo ...... 35 3.21 Nkurenkuru raises more than N$ 200 000 for expo ...... 36

4 ENVIRONMENT & HUMAN HEALTH ...... 37 4.1 Shifeta suspends sand mining at Onanime, Iiheke ...... 37 4.2 Vandalism blunts hepatitis response ...... 37 4.3 Support for conservancies in Kavango East ...... 38 4.4 Windhoek nurses’ home a health hazard ...... 38 4.5 Rundu to create more dumping sites ...... 39 4.6 Northern business people want sand mining ban lifted ...... 39 4.7 Glove shortage a toothache for Katutura hospital ...... 40 4.8 Hepatitis still raging on ...... 40 4.9 Meer as 20 jagluiperds al in Erindi vrygelaat ...... 41 4.10 Turning plastic waste into building materials ...... 42 4.11 Uproar over faeces being used as manure...... 42 4.12 Omuthiya vendors choke under own rubbish ...... 43 4.13 PektraNam’s environmental report out ...... 43

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1 Urban Planning, Land & Housing

1.1 Low-cost housing prioritised The Namibian|02/04/2019

Bank Windhoek will finance potential buyers of PolyCare houses to alleviate the housing shortage and reduce the urban housing backlog. PolyCare Namibia launched a project at its Brakwater factory early in February to construct durable and affordable houses. The company pledged to use new technology that utilises desert sand and resin to make building materials. These houses are for medium to low- income individuals or families, who cannot afford conventional housing at current market prices and interest rates. Bank Windhoek is the only financial institution that committed to providing financing to prospective buyers. Polycare Namibia's director, Nico Badenhorst, said: “Once a customer receives a home loan approval from Bank Windhoek, we then design and build the house according to the customer's specifications.” The houses valued at between N$250 000 and N$350 000 are constructed without using mortar and dug-out foundations. They can be built within 10 working days. PolyCare houses are built with a simple technique that is quicker and cheaper, yet still produces a finished building structure with far greater structural integrity than their traditional counterpart of brick and- mortar based houses. “The polymer concrete used during this process, is stronger than conventional concrete and more resilient than its counterpart,” said Badenhorst. Meanwhile, Bank Windhoek's executive officer of marketing and corporate communication services, Jacquiline Pack, said: Bank Windhoek is a responsible corporate citizen and a connecter of positive change in Namibian communities. She said: “This is a powerful initiative because it supports the strategic drivers of the Bank in areas of sustainability, partnering with our customers to advance their businesses interests and impacting the lives of ordinary Namibians.” She added that subject to the normal credit requirements, Bank Windhoek has committed itself to be part of the housing shortage solution by providing financial assistance to potential homeowners in low-income groups.

PRODUCTION PROCESS

This building material was originally invented over 60 years ago. It consists of dry, mineral raw materials bound together with a mixture of reactive resins and hardeners. It also allows inexpensive filler material, such as desert sand and waste such as fly-ash from power stations to be used as components in the polymer concrete for general building construction purposes. The PolyCare houses consist of manufactured precision engineered building blocks that are constructed on-site a building location. Vice president Nangolo Mbumba who spoke at the launch of the construction project in February, urged various stakeholders to embrace the new technology, and make funding available to prospective homeowners as a way of addressing the housing shortage in the country. He said this after learning that Bank Windhoek was the only financing institution which had so far agreed to provide funding to prospective buyers who want to purchase affordable quality Polycare houses within the low to medium-income brackets. PolyCare Research and Technologies teamed up with local construction companies Namibbeton and KL Construction, in partnership with Guinas Investment to construct these environmentally friendly houses backed by 21st century research. The local companies own the majority stake in the PolyCare Research Technology Namibia factory, situated at Brakwater, 20 kilometres outside Windhoek.

1.2 Erindi plays ball with AR Namibian Sun|02/04/2019

One of the owners of the erindi private game reserve has offered to donate part of the sale price for public housing projects. The owners of Erindi Private Game Reserve have agreed to meet some of the Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement's demands linked to the High Court settlement agreement

5 regarding the potential sale of the 70 000-hectare property. AR leader Job Amupanda recently sent a letter outlining the demands to the owners and land reform minister Utoni Nujoma, which included the establishment of a 2 500-unit township near Windhoek and the servicing of 300 plots at Goreangab. It also wanted millions to be channelled towards housing in Windhoek and Walvis Bay, as a caveat to the settlement agreement. Paul Joubert responded last week to Amupanda and Nujoma, saying he would ask the government to consider some of AR's demands. Joubert said although it was his right in terms of the Namibian Constitution to dispose of his property, he was also aware of the call by President Hage Geingob for wealthy Namibians to share their wealth with underprivileged locals. He said he understood and shared the frustration of the youth on matters relating to the unavailability of serviced residential land in towns. “I have considered your demands, which were directed at the lands ministry, and I am pleased to inform you that I will request government to at least favourably consider some of your demands, in particular to avail funds towards the servicing of residential plots in Windhoek.” Joubert said he would also request the government to consider acquiring a farm or two for unemployed agricultural graduates and other young people. “In this respect I will as part of the negotiations between Erindi and government offer a certain amount out of the proceeds of the sale of the shares in Erindi in order to benefit the public and particularly formerly disadvantaged Namibians, as contemplated under article 23 of the Namibian Constitution.” Joubert added he would therefore request Nujoma to favourably consider some of AR's “well-meant proposals”, but this was also subject to Nujoma imposing certain conditions. However, he specified in his letter that this was subject to the court case being settled on or before 28 March. The case was postponed to 18 April, because the parties were unable to finalise the negotiated settlement on time. Joubert said with regard to employment at Erindi, he would, provided that the government granted consent in terms of sections 17 and 58 of the Agricultural (Commercial) Land Reform Act on or before 28 March 2019, negotiate with any prospective purchaser of shares in Erindi, to ensure that it would continue to contribute to the Namibian economy. This would also include that there should not be retrenchments of employees as a result of the transaction. AR wanted the Erindi owners or buyers to purchase one farm within a radius of 50 kilometres from the Windhoek central business district to be used for the purpose of establishing a youth township with the capacity to accommodate a minimum of 2 500 houses. AR also wanted them to provide N$10 million for the finalisation of the servicing 300 residential plots at Goreangab and for the connection of bulk services for the 300 plots and empty houses at Otjomuise. Another demand was that the Erindi owners or buyers should buy five farms for the Youth in Agriculture for Economic Freedom initiative and that they allocate each farm start-up capital of not less than N$2 million to allow for productive farming.

LAWSUIT

Erindi first launched legal action against the lands minister in October 2016. In the initial lawsuit, it asked the court to order the land reform minister to hand over all valuation reports the minister relied on to make an offer to buy Erindi for N$265 million. The company also asked the court to declare that the minister acted in breach of his constitutional duty to act fairly, reasonably and in compliance with the law, when he made the offer to buy Erindi for N$265 million. It further wanted the court to order the minister to provide the company with a letter consenting to the sale of Erindi to a non-Namibian buyer. Then, in an amended application, Erindi wanted the court to review and set aside the minister's offer of N$265 million. Erindi also applied for an order to declare that a written agreement exists in which government bought the company for N$1.92 billion - or to declare that the minister had declined the company's offer to sell to government, and that Erindi is now entitled to a waiver in terms of which the agricultural land it owns can be sold to a private buyer. It further wanted the court to declare that Erindi is entitled to market and sell itself as a going concern - also to non-Namibian potential buyers. According to court documents a draft settlement has been prepared and is currently being considered by Erindi and the Office of the Attorney-General. The parties have agreed that the matter be postponed to 18 April.

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1.3 Councillors impatient with slow housing delivery The Namibian|03/04/2019

Councillors are impatient with the slow pace of implementing the proposed land and housing solutions by the municipality's management. Councillors said the municipality's management was not serious about the provision of low-cost/affordable housing because a plan they introduced five years ago has still not been implemented. Among those who questioned the municipality's commitment towards land and housing delivery at last Thursday's council meeting was Nudo's Joseph Kauandenge, Swapo's Fransina Kahungu who chairs the land delivery committee Paulus Emmanuel, and the RDP's Brunhilde Cornelius. The councillors accused the municipality's management of sabotaging their efforts to implement the planned housing project. The Namibian reported last year that the municipality was planning to construct over 1 200 low-cost houses to cater for low-income-earners. The project was estimated to cost about N$148 million, and was to be implemented in Otjomuise, Khomasdal and Farm 508 in Havana, Katutura, from January 2019 to 2020. According municipality, the current housing backlog for low-cost housing in Windhoek stands at 55 000. The document further states that the proposed project would reduce pressure on the city's housing waiting list, which currently consists of 15 000 applications, with some dating back to 2002. The proposed project's beneficiaries would be people who earn between N$3 000 and N$15 000 per month, including domestic workers, vendors, construction workers, security guards and cleaners. Teachers, police officers, nurses, bank clerks, municipal employees and other government officials would also be catered for under this plan. Councillors, however, said the municipality was not serious about land and housing delivery after failing to implement this plan. Kauandenge said proposals to provide affordable houses in informal settlements has been discussed by the municipality since 2013, but had not yielded tangible results yet. He added that most of the delays in the implementation of projects were internal, could be rectified, and were avoidable. “This plan is coming from 2013, and we are still talking about an item that speaks to housing provision for the poor. Let us start with our processes that are delaying implementation within the City of Windhoek. When are we going to address that internally in terms of how effective we can be in providing services to the people?” he asked. “Are we doing justice to our calling as leaders in terms of providing houses to the people who need houses? We are about to exit these council chambers, and what have we provided to the people? On a serious note, we must do something in terms of our service delivery in the municipality to speed up the housing provision for our people,” he reiterated. Swapo's Kahungu said the fact that most council resolutions on numerous items had no time frames was proof that the municipality was not serious in addressing the housing crisis. Emmanuel, on the other hand, tasked the municipality's management to report back to the council in six months with the report on actual progress on the implementation of the affordable housing plans.

1.4 Unhappiness brews over plots New Era|04/04/2019

While onguta's residents are happy with the formalisation of their area, they say they cannot pay the plots off in a year. Residents of one of Ondangwa's oldest locations have welcomed the town council's initiative to standardise their location, but they are not happy with the time period given to pay off their plots. They said the majority of Onguta residents are low-income earners who will not be able to pay off their land in a year. The town council has given Onguta residents 12 months to pay off their plots at a discounted price of N$40 per square metre for residential and N$60 per square metre for business plots. During a community meeting this week, council CEO Ismael Namgongo informed the residents that formalisation plans had been completed and they are welcome to come to the town council offices to pay off their plots. “For a very long time Onguta has been a location, but now we are done with its formalisation plans and it's time we start developing it, so that it can get to the standard of other townships,” Namgongo said. “You are now welcome to approach the town council to pay off your plots and get title deeds to your land. You must also submit your house plans so that you can start

7 building.” Namgongo said the reason behind this was do away with shacks in the location. “We have already formalised the land, meaning that you can now have access to all municipal services.” But residents hit back, saying they needed more time to pay off their land. “Saying that we are only given a year to pay our plots off is discrimination against poor people. The majority of the people here are low-income earners and we cannot afford to acquire loans to pay our plots off. If you are serious about your people, then give us enough time to get the money,” a resident said. “We seriously want our plots but the problem is the money. We are already struggling to make ends meet and now you are here making the situation tough for us. This will force many people to sell their plots to rich people, something that we do not want.” During a similar meeting in 2017, the council announced the establishment of 367 residential plots, of which 154 were already standardised during the first phase of the formalisation process, which started in August 2016. The council said it had constructed a sewerage system in the area at a cost of N$4 million. The town's technical manager Petrus Shipanga told residents the council normally charges N$80 per square metre for residential plots, N$270 per square metre for business plots and gives buyers six months to pay off their land. However, Onguta residents are being given special treatment because of their unique situation. “Onguta is one of the oldest locations in Ondangwa, but has not been standardised to a formal suburb. We would like residents to pay their plots off and start developing them,” Shipanga said. “You can start coming to our offices so that you can make arrangements and also submit your house plans or if you want to sell them (the plots), you are also welcome to come to our offices as well.” Shipanga said those who cannot afford their plots can surrender them, as the council will find them affordable plots elsewhere in town, together with those who will be resettled because of development. Namgongo told the residents he will take their complaints to the council, so a decision can be made. Shipanga informed the residents that only those who surrender their plots to the council will be allocated other plots. He said those that sell their plots will be placed on a waiting list.

1.5 Koes village resident lives in a toilet The Namibian|04/04/2019

Never in his wildest dreams did Johannes Windstaan from Koës village ever imagine living in the place he has now come to call home for the past two years or so a toilet. Koës village is in the //Kharas region, about 130 kilometres from Keetmanshoop. Windstaan, desperate to have a roof over his head to protect himself from the southern region's gusty winds and biting cold, turned a toilet at a vacant erf in the village into a home. The toilet is no larger than two square metres. Packed neatly on top of the toilet pot is Windstaan's earthly belongings – a mattress and some blankets. Since the toilet pot is no longer used for its original purpose, the blankets are packed on it permanently. In one corner, ostensibly used as a kitchen, are a sink, plates and bowls, as well as plastic containers filled with water. It is from here that the unemployed Windstaan emerges every morning and heads into the village in search of odd jobs to put food on the table. Windstaan said he used to share a shack with his brother. But when his brother died a year ago, his son destroyed the shack, forcing Windstaan to move into the toilet. “I was so desperate for a space to call home, and had to make the toilet my shelter,” he explained. He said when the regional council rolled out the programme of constructing flush toilets in the village, one was built on the erf where the demolished shack used to stand. He then decided to make that toilet his home. Hastily apologising for the cluttered appearance of his living space, Windstaan said he had no time to tidy up as he was already out by dawn in search of odd jobs. “My personal belongings and food are safe here because I can lock the door when I visit friends, or look for work,” he remarked. Being single with no children has meant that Windstaan has had to fend for himself in any way possible. Although he has relatives at Koës, he prefers to live on his own. “To make ends meets, I do odd jobs such as raking yards and cleaning windows at people's houses,” he added. Windstaan said he feels no discomfort living inside a toilet. To him, it is as good a home as any – at least until such time that he can secure enough funds to erect a shack for himself on the erf. Most of the time, he sleeps out in the open under a tree next to the toilet, only sleeping inside when it rains, or when it is freezing outdoors. “When it is raining or very cold outside, I roll out the mattress on the

8 toilet floor and sleep,” he said, adding that he prepares his food in the open on a fire, and keeps the leftover food safely inside. He appealed for any donation in kind to help realise his dream of building a shack for himself. The village council's chairperson, Johannes Cupido, yesterday said it was news to him that Windstaan was living in a toilet. He described Windstaan's decision to live inside a toilet as “bizarre,”. “He has a family, he can go and live with them,” he stated. Windstaan remains adamant that as a man on his own, living with family is not an option.

1.6 City of Windhoek calls for bids to demolish shacks The Namibian|08/04/2019

The City of Windhoek has put out a notice seeking to award a tender for the removal of illegal shacks on municipal land. The latest development follows a commotion between the Windhoek City Police and land grabbers towards the end of February when the police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at people they found setting-up shacks at a plot behind Chairman Mao Zedong High School in Otjomuise. City of Windhoek spokesperson Harold Akwenye told The Namibian today (Saturday), that they were only targeting newly set-up shacks on municipal land. “Only shacks that are set-up as of today will be demolished,” he said. The tender notice was put out on Friday. Affirmative Repositioning movement leader (AR) Job Amupanda released a statement on Friday ridiculing the City of Windhoek for what he called an attack on the poor. “This is a clear indication that the regime, despite electioneering statements about the shacks, is not going to help our people but to cause more pain and suffering,“ he said. Amupanda also claims that the city has set aside N$10 million for the demolition of the shacks, adding that the funds could be better spent on building houses. He said that the AR would challenge the tender in court, and has already directed their lawyers to do so. He also said that they would be writing to the City of Windhoek to “express their disgust”. Akwenye denied that the tender would cost the city N$10 million, stating that AR was exaggerating this figure. He said previous tenders for projects of this nature cost the city about N$280 000 and that the current one would also be in the same range.

1.7 Home is where the heart is Namibian Sun|11/04/2019

Some 400 lucky families in Oshakati and Okahao will soon own their own homes. The groundwork has been laid for the servicing of 400 plots in two new low-cost residential areas in Oshakati and Okahao. Three-hundred more will be pegged in Karibib next month as part of an innovative scheme to tackle the country's housing crisis. The demarcation of the 700 plots forms part of a ground-breaking non- profit land provision programme that will give some of Namibia's poorest citizens a chance to own land and build homes in well-planned neighbourhoods. Last week, the first phase of the Development Workshop Namibia (DWN) and the Namibia Chamber of Environment's (NCE) programme for the Provision of Low Cost Land for Housing kicked off with the demarcation of 400 plots. The programme aims to develop sufficient, affordable land for housing, with initial minimal servicing of plots, to make the informal housing market redundant. The land will be sold at cost price. Depending on circumstances, plot prices will range from N$10 000 to N$15 000, with full freehold title included in the cost of the erf. Once local authorities have signed an agreement with the DWN and NCE, and provided free land, the DWN develops the land together with its partners at the lowest cost possible. One of the conditions is that the new owners may not sell their plots for seven years. This is to avoid land speculation. The programme is based on research which showed that a lack of affordable land was the main reason for the continued growth of informal settlements.

BRIGHT IDEA

Last year, when the programme was first launched, Lesley Grand Goroseb, Karibib CEO, told Namibian Sun that the town council agreed to provide erven, for free, to the project as it provides an effective solution to a growing, and mostly unaddressed, problem. “I think the initiative by the government was

9 supposed to be mass servicing, not mass housing. We need to concentrate on bulk infrastructure upgrades and provision of basic services towards housing the poor.” Once people have paid of the erf, they can then occupy it. Due to the low income nature of the residents, they are allowed to build a first temporary structure with improvised materials (such as corrugated iron), but must initiate the construction with bricks within a period of one year. The scheme is exclusively for low income and first- time land and home buyers and all applications are carefully vetted. The programme framework ensures that the neighbourhoods can be upgraded with additional services over time. In Oshakati and Okahao, the services included are household water connections and access roads. As a temporary measure, residents have a choice to build their own pit latrines, conservancy or septic tanks. Building guidelines are provided by the project. In contrast to informal settlements, these new low-income residential areas are well planned and can be easily upgraded with sewer systems and electricity grids. The main objective of the programme is to provide the foundation for planned urban expansion. It is estimated that around 12 000 shacks are erected each year in Namibia's towns. The book 'Informal Settlements in Namibia', published by DWN in 2017, contained landmark research which showed that informal settlement growth could be stopped through a large-scale land delivery programme.

1.8 Museum squatters face eviction The Namibian|12/04/2019

Fifteen homeless people squatting at the Owela Museum in Windhoek face eviction by conservation activists who say they are scaring away tourists. The group, many of them car-washers, have converted a corridor where waste material is dumped. Benjamen Gurirab has lived there for the past 18 months after moving from a homeless shelter at the Dutch Reformed Church next to the museum. “We all don't want to be here, but it's our circumstances which brought us here,” he lamented in Afrikaans. Gurirab washes cars along Lüderitz Street for a living. “Maar ons kan nog beter doen [but we can do better],” he added. His wife and daughter, (who turns two next month), were taken away by the ministry of gender equality officials, he explained. Frans Mentor, who has also been squatting at the museum, dejectedly said they would be powerless if the police removed them. “We just have to leave, but then we'll probably have to find a new place,” he said. Mentor added that he also once lived at the church shelter after he and his sister were evicted from their home at Goreangab in 2007. The two took separate paths, and Mentor found himself at the shelter. But he soon left because he felt like a prisoner there, he said. “The guy who runs it is an old convict, and he runs it like a prison.” Mentor said he also has problems getting an identitiy card which restricts him from seeking employment and finding stable accommodation. Just like Gurirab, Mentor said none of them want to be on the streets, and highlighted the dangers they continuously face on the streets. “So many homeless people living on this street have been stabbed,” he said. “So many have died.” Mentor lamented the recent death of a friend and fellow squatter, Immanuel 'Blue' Clay, who was stabbed to death last week. “We're burying him on Saturday,” he added. Six Unam heritage conservation and management students plan to clean up the museum grounds on tomorrow when the homeless people are expected to move. The students said the squatters also disturb visitors. Penda Shimali, one of the students, said the squatters had ruined a place that attracts tourists. “We are worried about the environment. They are using the toilet outside, and harassing tourists,” he continued. Shimali said they had requested the police to evict the squatters. Police deputy commissioner Sylvanus Nghishidimbwa yesterday confirmed receiving the students' appeal for assistance. He said the police would ensure that the squatters leave the property tomorrow to allow the students to engage in their clean-up programme.

1.9 Walvis Bay allocates N$ 107m to land development New Era|15/04/2019

The Walvis Bay municipal council has allocated N$107 million of its N$314 million capital budget to land development projects for the 2019/2020 financial year. Chairperson of the management committee, Councillor Lilo Niilenge, tabled the 2019/2020 budget on Thursday evening during an

10 extra-ordinary council meeting held at the coastal town. Niilenge indicated that council’s expected revenue for the new financial year is estimated at N$510 million, while expenditure has also been projected at N$510 million. “There is, therefore, no deficit nor surplus for the budget under review, as required by the Ministry of Urban and Rural development,” she said. In terms of the N$107 million allocated to land development, Niilenge explained that N$76 million has been budgeted for the development of Farm 37, a housing project that will cater for the ultra-low level income earners such as kapana sellers and domestic workers. Farm 37, was identified in 2016 by the Walvis Bay council and Erongo regional council as a solution to relocate more than 30 000 residents of which 18 000 are backyard squatters. “The remaining N$31 million is divided in either finalisation and or starting up of new extensions,” Niilenge explained. Niilenge also explained that N$46 million has been allocated to community and social projects that will see the construction of the Tutaleni Fire Station, upgrading of the single quarters and the Ekutu stall, among others. Council also allocated N$80 million for the implementation, upgrading and replacement of water and sewer infrastructure, planning and construction of a new waste water treatment plant and upgrading of existing pump stations at the town. At least N$15 million was allocated for the replacements and additions to council’s vehicle fleet. Mayor of Walvis Bay, Immanuel Wilfred, said the new budget would continue to demonstrate council’s determination to work towards the improvement of the town. “Having taken all our constraints into consideration, the budget will allow us to address our collective needs in the most achievable manner possible,” he said. He appealed to residents to be model citizens by paying their dues on time, take ownership of the environment and infrastructure, and confront those who want to derail council’s noble development efforts.

1.10 Kombat residents protest against Katti Namibian Sun|16/04/2019

Kombat residents staged a demonstration at the settlement on Saturday to protest against new rentals introduced by a property management company, Kombat Village Properties, on behalf of the new owner, businessman Knowledge Katti. Katti bought the entire village of Kombat about three years ago. Residents say they are now forced to pay rent to Kombat Village Properties even though some of them have been paying off houses since the early 2000s with the understanding that they were buying these properties. Some were in Windhoek last week to consult lawyers over these houses, which they claim they had bought from the previous owner, Ongopolo Mining and Processing. Kombat Village Properties informed the residents in October last year that new rental agreements would be implemented “in line with transforming Kombat into a self-sustaining town”. The new rental agreement came into effect in November with monthly rentals now set at N$2 750, excluding water and electricity. Many residents are refusing to sign the new agreements, saying the increase is “massive”. Kombat Village Properties said those unable to pay the new rentals would have to find “alternative accommodation”. “They are threatening and insulting us. They are grabbing our houses. We are not happy; we are voicing our anger,” said one resident, Magdalena Petrus. She said many incidents of intimidation had been reported to the police at Kombat, but nothing was done. Another resident, Johanna Shilongo, said she alongside about 50 others had been paying off her house since 2002. Shilongo said she started working at Tsumeb Corporation Limited (TCL) in 1995 and later worked for Ongopolo, which bought the town's copper mine in 1999. She said at the time mine employees only paid electricity and rent; water was free. In 2001 Ongopolo sent out a notice informing workers that it was selling the Kombat houses and that employees would be given first option to buy. Shilongo said the purchases did not go ahead because former Otjozondjupa governor Theophelus Eiseb and Otavi councillor Bartholomeus Shagheta advised that Kombat first had to be proclaimed as a town. Kombat was eventually declared a township in May 2006, comprising 279 erven of which some were reserved as state property. In August that year it was again declared a settlement under the control of the Otjozondjupa regional council. Weatherly International Plc took over Kombat that same year, in 2006. Things have changed in the meantime. “We are now paying those people working for Katti. We are not happy because Katti came in during 2015 or 2016 claiming he had bought the town, which is what we are disputing,” Shilongo said. Katti's

11 lawyer, Elia Shikongo, last week said the deed transferring ownership to Katti was issued some three or four years ago. He would not say exactly how much Katti had paid for Kombat, except to say that it was a “back-to-back transaction where the value was exchanged in kind”. Resident Shilongo feels these “rumours” of Katti having bought Kombat are “confusing”, saying the community demand documentary proof of this sale. “We fail to understand how Kombat was sold to a private person while other people are staying there. We want to know from the government how this could have happened,” said the elderly Ernst Mburuu. Mburuu said the residents have been sending letters to current Otjozondjupa governor Otto Iipinge and other councillors seeking their intervention, but to no avail. “Why is this not a concern for the government? Why is the government not getting involved in this matter? They hear what is happening in Kombat but do not give a damn. No one is coming to listen to us,” Mburuu said.

PAYING LEASES

Lawyer Shikongo says only two or three people have sales agreements for the houses they live in while the others have been paying rent all along. He says many refuse to pay the rent and are encouraging others to do the same. Shikongo says the residents have in fact been presented with the new ownership of Kombat, adding: “The issue of ownership came up as an excuse not to pay rent.” He says 15 eviction summonses are being processed, while others have been given notice to pay or face eviction.

1.11 Konstruksie steeds op sy knieë Republikein|18/04/2019

Die visepresident van die Federasie vir die Konstruksiebedryf (CIF), mnr. Panashe Daringo, het 'n beroep op die regering gedoen om die konstruksiebedryf te help wat volgens hom swaar deur die huidige stand van die ekonomie getref is. Daringo, wat die •besturende direkteur van MPP Civils is, sê hy het eerstehands ervaar hoe hy personeel moes laat gaan weens die huidige stand van konstruksie in die land. Dit ondanks herhaalde pogings om hieroor met die regering in gesprek te tree. “Dinge lyk sleg; ons bid vir 'n ingryping. Dit voel asof ons pleidooi op dowe ore val,” het Daringo gesê. Volgens hom het die konstruksiebedryf 'n groot uittog van vaardighede beleef. “Die realiteit op die grond is erger, dit het tot 'n groot verlies aan vaardighede gelei. Dit het 'n domino-effek en konstruksie is die swaarste getref. Sy frustrasie is beaam deur die CIF se hoofbestuurder, me. Bärbel Kirchner. “Die konstruksiebedryf word erg geraak deur regeringsbegrotings en toekennings vir kapitaal en infrastruktuurprojekte. Vanuit die perspektief van die bedryf sou ons groter begrotingstoekennings vir ontwikkelingsprojekte wil sien,” het sy vroeër gesê. Volgens haart vind gesprekke plaas om’n gunstige werks­omgewing vir plaaslike kon­trakteurs te skep. “Besprekings word gevoer oor hoe kwalifikasievereistes tot Namibiese ekonomiese omstandighede aangepas moet word. Basies moet ons die finansiële vereistes vir prekwalifikasie verlaag. Indien dit nie moontlik is nie, moet ons die omvang van die projekte verklein sodat meer plaaslike kontrakteurs kan deelneem,” het Kirchner gesê. “Watter besluit ons owerhede ook al neem, moet ons seker maak die plaaslike bedryf is betrek. Dit sal ons kapasiteit handhaaf, besighede aan die gang hou en verseker mense het werk. Uiteindelik verseker dit ons geld bly in Namibië in sirkulasie,” het sy gesê. Volgens die Bank of Namibia het die werklike waarde toegevoeg in die bedryf in 2018 met 18,3% gekrimp, teenoor die 25,6% in 2017. Verlede jaar se inkrimping is deels te wyte aan die verhoging in die werklike waarde vir voltooide geboue en regerings•uitgawes wat vir konstruksie geoormerk is.

1.12 Oshakati to phase out informal settlements New Era|24/04/2019

In its quest to drastically reduce informal settlements, the Oshakati Town Council has committed itself to relocate all the residents at Eemwandi informal settlement to the Onawa Township. To this end,

12 council has thus reserved N$22.5 million to service plots at Onawa and Ompumpu townships to enable the relocation. Altogether, 514 plots have been serviced at Onawa Township and some people have been relocated already. The council has given itself until end of May to relocate all the Eemwandi residents. The revelation was made by the mayor of the town, Angelus Iiyambo during a budget presentation for the current financial year recently. Iiyambo further announced that 44 percent, translating into N$106.9 million is this year reserved for capital projects. As part of its capital projects money, council has reserved N$26 million to tarring roads at the town, while N$58 million is reserved for other infrastructural development such as a water tower, sewer pump station and surveying amongst others. Amidst the financial crises being experienced globaly, the council aims to increase its revenue at least by five percent from expected sales of erven and rates and taxes and other services rendered by the council. The council has projected its revenue to slightly increase from N$228.73 million from the previous financial year to N$241, 1 million in the current financial year. To further boost its finances, the council will direct efforts to collect all debts owed to the council by its residents. Iiyambo thus urged the administrators to enforce the council’s Credit Control Policy. “Debt collection is and will remain a council priority and it is in this regard that I would like to urge each and every resident, business, government departments to honour their commitments towards council by paying their bills on time and if possible always in full,” Iiyambo said. He said collecting debt will put council in a better position to broaden its revenue base, which in turn will allow council to deliver better services and improve on infrastructural development and stimulate economic development at the town. In addition, the mayor also appealed to the council to tackle challenges of unemployment at the town.

1.13 NHE to spend N$10m on informal housing The Namibian|24/04/2019

The National Housing Enterprise says it will spend N$10 million this year to construct and upgrade houses in Windhoek's informal settlements. NHE spokesperson Eric Libongani told The Namibian last week that the proposed pilot project would be implemented in Windhoek's Katutura and Otjomuise townships before it is rolled out to other towns. The NHE is the entity with the mandate for housing provision countrywide. According to a public notice issued by the NHE this month, the proposed project would only benefit people who have plots registered in their names, or those with lease agreements with the City of Windhoek. Such plots, the notice stated, should be connected to basic services such as water and electricity. “Information sessions will be arranged and announced in due course,” the public notice read. “Katutura and Otjomuise were strategically selected because there are many households in these areas that have plots but do not have formal structures on them,” Libongani stated. Beneficiaries would be chosen on a first-come-first-served basis, the notice said. The NHE credit policy dictates that only people who earn no more than N$20 000 as monthly salary (gross salary including housing allowances and subsidies) can qualify for up to an N$600 000 housing loan. The current maximum loan repayment period is 20 years, and beneficiaries are required to at least put down a 10% deposit of the value of the property. The entity, however, did not disclose the number of houses to be built under this project. Libongani said the availability of funds would determine the number of houses to be built and/or upgraded, and the type of housing clients may choose. The pilot project, he added, would only target people who cannot obtain a bank loan. He also did not explain where the NHE would get the projected N$10 million to fund the proposed project, expected to be completed within one year. Critics, including the Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement and some opposition parties, argued that the proposed project was a ploy to deceive the public into thinking that the current administration was concerned and committed to solving the housing crisis in the country. AR activist Job Amupanda said it was a ploy by the ruling party's government to deceive the electorate into believing that Swapo was concerned about solving the housing problem in the country. Amupanda added that the proposed project shows that the government was not serious about housing provision because “the fundamentals such as the Flexible Land Tenure Act and other enabling legislation that would have dealt with the housing issue are not handled”. “What is scandalous and laughable is that

13 they are talking about the informal settlements, but they don't have a framework to deal with that in terms of housing finance. For an institution like that, you don't just intervene for the sake of it, but you need to have an institutional framework. So, all those things are not explained to us,” he said. Amupanda furthermore claimed that the ruling party was using the issue of housing provision for electioneering purposes because some NHE board members, such as Chairperson Sam Shivute, were part of the Swapo think tank, who also drafted the party's election manifesto. “All we see is just an electioneering poster. This is all that they needed to do to mislead people. It gives them room to say – this is what NHE is going to do, and they put it in their manifesto to mislead people to vote for them,” he said. RDP parliamentarian Mike Kavekotora, who criticised the government's housing provision efforts to low-income-earners, said the NHE needed to reintroduce the concept of “incremental housing that was successfully implemented before” to demonstrate that it was serious with addressing the housing issue. He proposed that the government should also introduce a benchmark ratio to ensure that adequate resources are allocated to housing provision. “If we need 10% of the national budget to be allocated to housing, so be it, and let's stick to that ratio until the housing challenge is duly addressed,” Kavekotora urged. Shivute told The Namibian on Monday that the NHE came up with the housing project last year as a selective board decision and not pushed by him. He added that he had not been elected to be part of the Swapo think tank at the time. He further argued that this project has nothing to do with elections as they want to assist those with erven who do not have assistance financially to build a home. “Let people come forth with land and see what happens,” Shivute said. In defence of the project, Libongani also dismissed the electioneering claims, saying the project was among many of the NHE's measures to ensure that “every eligible Namibian has access to quality and affordable housing”. He said the NHE was committed to its mandate of providing and financing housing, whether during an election year or not. The parastatal's last major project was former president Hifikepunye Pohamba's 2013 mass housing programme's answer to Namibia's housing crisis, with a promise to build 148 000 houses by 2030. The Namibian reported last year that around 360 houses completed under the programme in Windhoek had not been handed over to beneficiaries, two years after most of them were completed. The urban development ministry was allocated about N$2 billion, which is an increase of 6, 5% on the previous year's allocation. Urban development minister Peya Mushelenga said in the National Assembly last month that his ministry wants to spend N$561 million on the servicing of urban land this year. He added that about N$100 million would be spent on rural infrastructure and sanitation development. The ministry, according to budget documents, would receive N$5, 8 billion for its development budget over the medium-term expenditure framework.

1.14 Mushelenga to address Omuthiya over compensation New Era|29/04/2019

The Minister of Urban and Rural Development Peya Mushelenga has granted an audience with distressed community members of Omuthiya and surrounding villages who claim to have been robbed and unfairly compensated by the town council when they ceded their land to pave way for township development. For years, the affected parties, through a local committee, have been calling upon town council to review the compensation process amid claims of bias in issuing free plots as compensation as well as unfair monetary reimbursements. Council has always maintained that it did everything fairly. Community leader and activist Moses Amukoto informed New Era that he has received a letter from town council informing them of the minister’s promise to meet listen and address their complaints. “This is good news to us as affected communities,” he said.“For years we have been calling for the minister’s intervention to rescue us. We are therefore happy that our cries will be heard by the highest authority, although the letter did not indicate when exactly,” stressed Amukoto, adding that the date of the meeting would be announced in due course. In an interview last year, the town’s CEO Samuel Mbango was emphatic in saying the process has been done according to the National Land Compensation Policy, saying they were hooligans among the community that has been stirring trouble. “The policy states that the person has an option to choose either to get two plots but no money, while the second option offers one to be paid in full which is in monetary for the value of the homestead.

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The only persons without an option are those that are in industrial or business area and are paid money in full. In this case most of those that bring up the issue are the ones who received money and they are under the impression that they do qualify for the plots again, which is not the case,” explained Mbango at the time.

1.15 Oshakati to spend 44% on erven Namibian Sun|29/04/2019

The Oshakati town council is planning to spend 44% of its 2019/20 budget to ensure that land is serviced in order for the council to generate more funds. This was announced during the tabling of the council's 2019/20 N$241.6-million budget. Council also indicated that the town's revenue has increased by 5% compared to 2017/18 financial year. In a budget statement read by the mayor Angelus Iiyambo, council's revenue increased from N$228.73 million in 2017/18 financial year to N$241.70 million last year. “The increase is attributed to the sales of erven, and rates and taxes. During this financial year, our total expenditure is estimated at N$241.7 million representing a 5% increase. The difference between total revenue and total expenditure records a surplus of N$2.354 million during the financial year 2019/20,” announced Iiyambo. “The total revenue is expected to come from council operations inter alia, assessment rates, sales of erven and other crucial services rendered by council. The biggest portion of the budget, N$106.9 million, representing 44%, will be allocated to capital projects, followed by an operational budget of N$87.7 million, which represents 37%, while salaries and wages are the last expenditure of N$47.1 million, representing 19% of the total budget.” Iiyambo said that the projects to be covered during this fiscal year are not all necessarily income-generating by nature, but added that there is a need to keep a balance between revenue-generating and non- revenue generating projects so as to address sustainable operations in the long term. He said the council therefore needs to adjust the tariffs for self-sustainable development, taking into account that the annual inflation rate is estimated at 5%. He said the council will adjust tariffs on average with 5%. He said in order to enhance the quality of life for all the people in Oshakati, the council has apportioned N$22.5 million to capital projects including the servicing of ultra-low income areas like the Onawa and Ombumpu townships. “These funds will be used to service Onawa to enable council to relocate residents from informal settlements to a formal area. As from next month, the council is determined to relocate Eemwandi residents to Onawa, an indication that the council is ready to reduce informal settlements in town. “An amount of N$26 million is earmarked for tarring of roads in Oshakati while N$58 million would be invested into other infrastructure like a water tower, sewer pump stations, surveying, office expansion and bulk services just to mention few of them,” announced Iiyambo.

1.16 Swakopmund council reserves N$850 000 for emergency shelter New Era|30/04/2019

The Swakopmund council has availed N$850 000 towards the construction of a shelter to assist displaced fire victims at the town. Council already identified the need for such a shelter in 2016, following devastating fires that left hundreds of Swakopmund residents, especially those living in shacks, homeless for years now. Most of those residents live either in Mondesa or DRC informal settlement in shacks made out of flammable material. The shelter will now be council’s immediate response in case of shack fires that leave residents homeless, while at the same time allow them to rebuild their lives while having temporary shelter. Alternate chairperson of the Swakopmund council’s management committee, Councillor Kleopas Ngwena, during the tabling of the budget indicated that council availed the funds in the 2019/2020 budget for the construction of the emergency shelter. According to Ngwena, the shelter will serve as a short-term accommodation facility for destitute families affected by fires and will consist of dormitories, a dining hall, common kitchen, storeroom, ablution facilities and an administration office. The facility will be able to accommodate up to 1 000 people and will also be used to host large public meetings, corporate gatherings, private functions as well as educational retreats, while the hall will be equipped with conference facilities, a stage with

15 changing rooms and a kitchen. The Swakopmund council last year already indicated that Erf 6788 in Mondesa has been identified for this purpose by the community development services department of the Swakopmund municipality due to its easy access from both the informal settlement and Mondesa. The plot is about 16 173 square metres in size and will host the emergency shelter as well as a community hall, to serve residents in and around Mondesa and Matutura extensions as well as the DRC.Council’s management committee earlier also said the aim of the emergency shelter is to bring much needed services closer to the people. NamClay Bricks and Pavers already on 30 August 2016 donated 36 288 bricks to the Swakopmund municipality to assist fire victims who lost their belongings during a fire incident in July 2016. These bricks will now be used to aid the construction of the emergency centre.

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2 Urban Infrastructure and Services 2.1 Water woes at Amarika to ease in June New Era|02/04/2019

The persistent water woes at Amarika in the Omusati Region are expected to ease in June once the 53 km stretch of the Okatumba-Amarika water pipeline has been completed. The project which started in 2014 has been on hold for some time, leaving the community to continue to drink salty water. Potable water at Amarika is only supplied to the school by the education directorate through the Omusati Regional Council. “The rest of the community does not want to organise itself to pay for the water hence the tank is only provided to the school,” said the councillor of Otamanzi Constituency, Johannes Iiyambo. According to Iiyambo the biggest tank which is ferried to the school costs about N$220. Since the programme for water services was put on hold, the government through the Omusati Regional Council last year took over the project and is confident the project will be completed in two months. The reported halt of the project stems from differences in the implementation of the project with the initial donor. At the time the project was halted, the 53 km stretch of pipelines was already installed, however, they have since been removed as they are no longer durable for use and new pipelines were installed. Iiyambo said the water pipeline will benefit his community greatly as there will be water points for the community to tap water as well as for their livestock. “In the long run, the community will also further extend water to their homesteads,” said Iiyambo. The chairperson of the Omusati Regional Council, Modestus Amutse, said that besides the water woes the council plans to complete the fencing of the farming unit in the same area. As such a tender is planned to be advertised by the end of this month. The fencing of the farming units have also been on hold due to the border fights between the Uukwambi and Ongandjera traditional authorities. “As a council, we do not look at traditional authority borders, our focus is to ensure that our residents receive services hence we are going to look at how we will solve this issue amicably,” said Amutse. Amutse said a meeting has been scheduled with the two traditional authorities to see how best the affected communities could receive services irrespective of the borders which they find themselves in. “We hope that there will be no further disagreements with the concerned traditional authorities so that we do not disadvantage the farmers,” Amutse said. With the ongoing work and that which is scheduled to take place soon, Amutse has requested the contractors to treat their workers with dignity. This, he said, includes paying workers on time and what has been agreed and to refrain from subjecting workers to harsh working conditions which are against the labour act.

2.2 Tsumkwe grapples without-of-service mortuaries New Era|02/04/2019

Dysfunctional mortuaries in Tsumkwe settlement have put a strain on residents of Tsumkwe constituency. Since 2015, the mortuary at Tsumkwe Health Clinic has been unusable, at times forcing residents to travel hundreds of kilometers with their dead. A second mortuary in Tsumkwe is at the Tsumkwe Police Station. When working it can store three bodies, however, it has been out of service since August 2017. In Gam settlement, a mortuary with a history of breakdowns has been out of service since at least December 2018. Out of the four mortuaries in the constituency, only one, a diesel operated mortuary at the Mangetti Dune Health Centre that solely operates on a generator, is currently functioning. In a region already known for being heavily marginalized, residents and healthcare workers say transporting corpses hours away presents significant challenges. Next of kin, who often do not own cars, scramble to arrange the transportation of bodies with friends, family, or even constituency office vehicles. “Sometimes the family has a planned burial for a certain day, but then they have to delay that because of transportation,” said a nurse at the Tsumkwe Health Clinic, who requested for anonymity as bureaucracy in government does not allow her to speak to media. With both mortuaries in Tsumkwe out of service, residents in and around the settlement must travel on a gravel road with no cellphone network either 80 kilometres to Mangetti Dune or 300 kilometres

17 to Grootfontein to reach a morgue that can preserve their relative. Since the Gam Health Clinic’s mortuary is also out of service, community members have to drive a corpse 180 kilometres to the mortuary in Mangetti Dune. If that facility is full, a family must travel either 300 kilometres to Gobabis or almost 400 kilometres to a morgue in Grootfontein. Once funeral arrangements have been made, transportation is still needed for the body to be brought back home for burial which is a logistical nightmare. “It’s a big challenge. Once someone passes away these families have to run around looking for a car. And you know my people...some of them don’t know Grootfontein, so we just help each other out. We are helping each other out,” said Tsumkwe Constituency Councillor Fransina Gauz. “Tsumkwe is not like Grootfontein. In Grootfontein you can go to private mortuaries, but here in the bush...you can see how the place is. It’s not healthy to take someone who passed away and drive them from here to Mangetti Dune. It’s too far,” the councillor added. A Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS) report dated 17 December, 2018, states the Tsumkwe Health Clinic mortuary has an “internal leakage and the compressor that has seized due to a leakage” and that the Ministry of Works and Transport has recommended a “new complete system/unit be put up since trying to fix the current system is a waste of money as the leaking of the gas is internal and cannot be fixed.” An officer at the Tsumkwe Police Station said their morgue is waiting for a new cylinder of petrol from the ministry of works. However, a works official in Tsumkwe said the station is responsible for its own refills. Jason Goresab, an enrolled nurse at Gam Health Clinic, says his clinic’s mortuary continually short circuits when it gets wet from rain leaking inside the room. Acting Otjozondjupa Regional Health Director Samuel Shilikomwenyo said his ministry is aware of the status of the mortuaries in the constituency. He confirmed the morgue at the Tsumkwe Health Clinic needs to be completely overhauled but that financial and budgetary issues at the ministry are behind its delayed renovation. Shilikomwenyo added the mortuaries in the nearby villages of Gam and Mangetti Dune are slated to be updated at some point in the future. He asked constituency members to be patient, assuring that as soon as funds are available the ministry will be able to attend to improving the mortuaries in the constituency. “The people work together but the part where it’s challenging is that there are many villages and some of them are far. Some people live where there’s no network. So when someone dies, it takes time to reach police,” said Ju/’hoansi Traditional Authority Chief Bobo Tsamkxao. Nurse Goreseb says despite the immense challenge, Gam community members have adjusted to the situation. “Everyone helps each other. They will always give a helping hand. There was this one time someone passed away. My ambulance driver gave his private car for the corpse to be taken to Mangetti. He just knows the people...I don’t think they’re relatives, but he lent his car for free for the corpse to be taken,” he said. Close to 10 000 people reside in the Tsumkwe constituency, which is situated on the Eastern side of the Otjozondjupa region. As the region’s population grows, it becomes more difficult for the community to depend on the single four-chamber morgue located in Mangetti Dune. A nurse at the Mangetti Dune Health Clinic expressed concern over how much pressure the non-working mortuaries put on the limited space available at her facility. She said nurses are sometimes forced to stack two bodies in a chamber meant for a single corpse. Other times, they have to turn families away. “They should make a plan to fix the mortuary in Tsumkwe. Or even this one since we are only having four spots. This is like a center of the whole Tsumkwe constituency. It’s a health center operating for three clinics. And all of the clinics, when they have a dead body, they are bringing it this side. Even the surrounding villages. When they have a body they’re bringing it here. So that’s a challenge. If they can, please extend or fix the ones that are out of order,” she said. This article was written by Kaylan Shipanga, an Information Officer at the Ministry of Information and Communication Otjozondjupa regional office.

2.3 Farmers await completion of Rundu abattoir New Era|03/04/2019

Livestock farmers in the Kavango East Region are ready and waiting for the completion of the N$110 million Rundu abattoir which is currently in the final stages of being done, says the chairperson of the Kavango East Regional Farmers Union (KERFU) Adolf Muremi. The abattoir, which is being constructed

18 by the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, was anticipated to have been completed two years ago, in January 2017, but work was delayed due to mainly financial constraints of the agriculture ministry. However, once completed it will serve as a market for livestock, mainly cattle, of farmers in Kavango East and those from outside who can reach the facility. “As farmers we are more than ready – Kavango East farmers are just waiting for the completion and they will deliver the needed livestock to be slaughtered at the new facility. We will live up to that expectation,” Muremi said on behalf of other farmers in the region. Currently farmers in the region only sell their livestock to the Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) mobile abattoir stationed at Matumbo Ribebe quarantine camp, some kilometres south of Rundu. “The demand here is high – our farmers have livestock ready to be slaughtered, the abattoir will be in business,” Muremi noted. Once completed, the abattoir will be leased to suitable private operators through a public tender. New Era couldn’t get comment from the agriculture ministry on how far is the abattoir from completion, before going to print.

2.4 32 plots electrified in Onayena settlement New Era|08/04/2019

Development is crawling into Onayena, with 32 plots recently electrified in the relatively newly proclaimed settlement. The councillor for Onayena constituency, Iiyambo Indongo, told New Era that the settlement is advancing with a number of projects underway such as the installation of streetlights. The 32 plots will soon be handed over to prospective individuals to build houses. In addition, he said, electricity is being extended to a school in Onangombe village of Ohangwena Region, which borders with Onayena. “We are on the right trajectory and managed to fight until our plights were heard. Nored is busy extending electricity poles to Nicky Uugwanga Primary School in Eenhana constituency. I, therefore, also commend the principal for the efforts he made all along,” stressed Indongo. He said another development is upgrading to bitumen standard the 1.5-kilometre stretch from Omulunga Open Market to Nehale Secondary School, which is being undertaken by Kambwa Construction (Pty) Ltd. Indongo added that these projects have uplifted the livelihood of the community through the provision of short-term employment. In terms of provision of housing, he said six houses are being constructed by Premium Construction Works cc under the Build Together programme. “We want to bring services to the community, and we are happy to say FNB has promised to bring an ATM to the area for a month-and-a-half. After this period, they will assess if the facility was under or properly utilised to determine if a long-term service can be provided,” said an ecstatic councillor. “This will be a relief to the majority of communities in the eastern side constituencies of Epembe (Ohangwena), Okankolo and Onyaanya,” he said, “as they would no longer need to travel long distances to Ondangwa to withdraw money.”

2.5 Lack of budgeting hinders water provision in Ohangwena New Era|09/04/2019

The lack of budget in Ohangwena Region is hindering water provision, particularly to the much drought-stricken constituencies that to date have no water pipelines. The eastern part of the Ohangwena Region, which includes Epembe, Omundaungilo, Oshikunde and Okongo, is without potable water. Public Relations Officer at Ohangwena Regional Council Panduleni Nepembe said the council has plans to install at least 40 boreholes, particularly in Okongo Constituency to avert the water crisis but there is currently no budget. In addition to the boreholes, the council further plans to put up short water pipelines in other seven constituencies, however, it is not possible at the moment because of the constraint budget. There are also further plans to put up 31 earth dams and replace five boreholes across the region. “Council is hard at work to see how best to solve the water crisis in the region because those who are without water trek long distances or are left to drink unsafe water,” Nepembe said. Despite the shortage of funds, Nepembe said the council is doing its best to ensure that the affected people get water, adding that the council is in the process to advertise tenders to drill 16 boreholes in Oshikunde and Okongo constituencies. Apart from the plan in place, the council has

19 installed 18 boreholes in the drought stricken constituencies. Seven other boreholes were drilled, but are not in use, as they are not fit for human consumption. Nepembe said other challenges experienced by the council to deliver water to its community include dilapidated water infrastructures, slow pace of procurement and budgetary constraints among others. Moving forward, the council will further look into constructing a bulk water pipeline from Eenhana to Mpungu Constituency to serve the masses between the two areas. The council is further looking into the possibilities of tapping water from the Ohangwena aquifer to supplement water to the eastern side of the region. The region is also exploring possibilities of tapping water from the Kavango River and to decentralise finances to the region. At the end of last year, a motion which is currently being implemented was tabled to allow unused water tanks across the region to be transferred to the areas which are without water. In total, 964 water points were put up, with at least 4278 private off-takes since 2014 in the region.

2.6 Technology comes to Namutoni The Namibian|15/04/2019

Namutoni Primary School in Katutura East constituency, Windhoek, has entered a new phase in their teaching method by using the latest gadgets as learning and teaching tools. Information communication technology (ICT) items such as tablets, computer-guided instruction and interactive system are used as teaching and learning tools to ensure access and usage of ICT at the school in line with the education ministry's policy on the development of knowledge and nurturing of individual creativity, innovation and leadership skills. The principal of Namutoni Primary School, Johanna Asino, said the school acknowledges that access and usage of ICT are essential for learning. He said the school bought approximately 29 tablet computers and Genius Educational Software donated about 15. “The school now has a total of 44 tablets for a designed ICT educational program, teaching and learning at the levels from Pre-primary to Grade 7 for ICT skills training among our teachers and pupils for promoting technology literacy in the school,” Asino explained. She also emphasised that the 15 computers in the ICT laboratory are working and connected to the internet for the use of the teachers and pupils for studying purposes. Besides, she revealed that the school conducted a design thinking workshop in 2017 and after that accomplished tablets usage and installed a digital library to access different books online, as well bought its server with a wireless router that allows teachers and pupils to have access to the server for practical educational purposes. “In keeping with the commitment, the school introduced electronic-learning for computer delivery of an educational curriculum outside of traditional classroom teaching and learning. There were few monitors purchased while waiting for donations for the ICT laboratory to have at least 40 computers. This will allow for the use of more computers and tablets during teaching and learning in the laboratory,” the principal stressed. On the issue of the reasons for ICT education at the school, the principal said it is one of the school's educational developments to unblock the potential of the pupils and improve the quality of education for better learning tools and teaching aids. She also said ICT education helps pupils study through visualising during the reading of a story and it helps them understand the learning content better. More weight was given to this scenario when the principal highlighted that ICT education in the school had assisted pupils in attaining knowledge better. The principal stated that the development of ICT education allows teachers and pupils to actively engage for practical purposes, improve reading skills or widen their vocabulary and understanding of current affairs. With regard to further expansion plans, the principal is optimistic that the school will strive to complete integration of computer technology, provide ICT trained qualified teachers for the school, and to train others and provide materials so that teachers can make ICT an integral part of their lessons to improve teaching and learning. Meanwhile, the principal's simple response to the challenges of ICT-development is that the school still needs computers, printers, hotspot-wireless, projectors, laptops, project screenr or whiteboards to be used in the classroom. “The school still requires parental involvement to assist the pupils to acquire tablets for electronic-learning. One ICT lesson per week is not enough; [the] school needs qualified ICT teachers for training at all levels. Paulus Iipinge, who founded Genius Technologies, said the tablets cost N$37 500 and that the company has so far worked with about 10 primary schools in the Khomas

20 region alone. According to Iipinge, his company trains teachers on how to use the technology and interested pupils pay N$500 per month.

2.7 Prepaid water for Blikkiesdorp Namibian Sun|16/04/2019

Residents who want their own taps in their yards should open municipal accounts and apply for water meters. The Grootfontein municipality plans to install prepaid water meters in one of the town’s largest informal settlements, known as Blikkiesdorp. This is after some Blikkiesdorp residents demanded their own water and sewerage connections on their plots. At the moment the council provides the thousands of residents of Blikkiesdorp with free water from communal standpipes. The residents make use of public toilets that serve thousands of people. It is not safe for girls and women to use these toilets after dark, and some attempted rapes have been reported. Some residents have made illegal water connections from the communal pipes to their plots. Municipal spokesperson Luke Salomo says the council plans to provide Blikkiesdorp residents with prepaid water meters soon. “The council is not a charity institution. The best we can do is to strive to recover the cost the council will be investing to bring clean drinking water to the community of Blikkiesdorp,” he said. Salomo said providing free water to residents was becoming a burden to the council although Grootfontein has its own boreholes. “Since Blikkiesdorp is an informal area, the council will have to formalise the area in order to issue private water taps to individuals,” Salomo said. “Currently the water supply within Blikkiesdorp is free, something that the council can no longer afford.” He said residents who wanted their own taps in their yards should open municipal accounts and apply for water meters. Salomo added that the council had decided to allow Blikkiesdorp residents to install their own toilets as a safety precaution. “Regarding the sanitation within Blikkiesdorp, the members of the community need to visit our offices to apply to build their own toilets within their yards,” Salomo said. “The council takes the issue of sanitation very seriously, which is why the council took the bold decision to allow the community of Blikkiesdorp to construct their own toilets.”

2.8 Rundu’s Dr Sam Nujoma drive to be rehabilitated for N$3.4 million New Era|18/04/2019

A part of Dr Sam Nujoma Drive in Rundu will be closed off for the next five months for repairs. Road Fund Administration (RFA) is funding the project at a cost of N$3.4 million. The part of the road to be worked on runs from Sauyemwa service station to the B10 Nkurenkuru turn-off, authorities said. “This road will be closed for a period of five months. The closure will start on the 19th of April (this Friday) and the purpose is to allow rehabilitation works which are currently underway to go without hindrances,” said said Benjamin Makayi, the public relations officer of Rundu Town Council. “The public is thus cordially informed to use the reserved temporary bypass or other alternative roads to avoid inconveniences, especially those entering Rundu from Nkurenkuru through that road or leaving town via the same road,” said Makayi. The road is being reconstructed by VERO Group and supervised by Artee Project Engineers.

2.9 Katima’s dry water taps annoy residents The Namibian|24/04/2019

Residents of Katima Mulilo are up in arms over the town council's irregular supply of water, noting that the council has failed to offer a satisfactory response on the matter. Residents were left without water the entire day last week Thursday and were forced to come up with other means to get water. They argue that the problem has been coming on for the previous five years, but it is left to continue unabated. The residents told The Namibian over the weekend that the situation was sickening, as it often results in them using dirty water from the river. “People are left with no choice but to get water from the river, which is infested with crocodiles. Children remained without food the entire day from

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06h00 until after 22h00 on Thursday. “We have an agreement to be provided with water, but we are forced to beg for water as if we don't pay bills,'' charged Fabian Brogan. Another resident, Namasiku Kamwi, said they pay their bills on time every month, and in turn, expected better service from the council. She said most of the time, they do not get an explanation from the council as to why there is no water. “It is our constitutional right to have clean drinking water every day, but in this case, our rights are being violated. I think it would be best if we could be allowed to buy water directly from NamWater because as it stands, the Katima Mulilo Town Council is not doing us justice,'' she stressed. Another resident, Katherine Mayumbelo, said the town council gives “many excuses, instead of finding a solution to restore the water supply permanently”. “This is frustrating. Most of the time when the water supply runs out, we are not told anything. This happens at least three to four times a month. We are forced to stay an entire day or even two days without drinking water, bathing or flushing our toilets, which is very unhygienic,'' she lamented. Efforts to get a comment from the council were unsuccessful as emails sent to their spokesperson, Muyoba Muyoba, and chief executive officer Raphael Liswaniso were not answered.

2.10 Unwavering passion at Ondangwa Private Hospital Namibian Sun|26/04/2019

In 2014, Dr Happy Musweu and his wife, Dr Helena Shuuvuni, both general practitioners, established the Ondangwa Private Hospital after identifying the need for a health facility at the growing northern town. The hospital started as a maternity hospital, but due to the high demand and the growing number of patients, it was transformed into a 34-bed hospital catering for patients with an assortment of illnesses. The hospital offers casualty, paediatric, gynaecology, surgery, radiology, pathology and maternity services. Ondangwa Private Hospital is the second largest private hospital in the north and employs more than 32 doctors, including eight specialists. According to the hospital's spokesperson, Lucky Kalipa, at the beginning of 2017 they started offering oncology services, which was a first for northern Namibia. Dr Alex Nkandu is the head of the Oncology Clinic, assisted by Dr Mtabeni Jemu. Nkandu said when he started offering free cancer treatment at the Oshakati Intermediate Hospital, he realised that there was a need to address the high demand considering that every Wednesday there is a bus transporting cancer patients to the Namibian Oncology Centre (NOC) at the Windhoek Central Hospital. “This is one of the busiest sections of the Oshakati hospital. Patients have to join a long waiting list before getting a chance to go to the oncology clinic at the central hospital in Windhoek. After treatment, patients have to go back onto the waiting list for follow-ups,” said Nkandu. Nkandu said they established a cancer clinic at the Ondangwa Private Hospital, which is currently offering services including clinical oncology, mammography, chemotherapy services, facilitation of oncology pharmacy and counselling services. They have over 100 patients under their care. He said patients can now go for cancer treatment in Windhoek and come to them for follow-up, except for those that require radiation therapy. “The clinic is of vital importance because we are receiving many referrals from local hospitals in the area. We refer all patients that need to undergo radiation therapy treatment to Windhoek and we take care of the rest,” Nkandu said. Kalipa said there is a need for a proper cancer care facility, which is why the hospital is expanding the oncology clinic. “We are hopeful that by the end of the year construction will be completed. We plan to have radiation therapy facilities so that we will be treating all patients here without sending them to Windhoek,” he said.

2.11 Swakopmund Municipality prioritises infrastructure improvement New Era|30/04/2019

Maintaining and improving infrastructure will continue to require significant and planned investment despite the restrained resources available in the Swakopmund council’s investment and current account. During the capital and operating budget speech presented by Alternate Chairperson of the Swakopmund Municipality, Councillor Kleopas Ngwena on Thursday, the council noted that anticipated property sale transactions will however generate sufficient revenue and along with current

22 existing funds, it will be in a more favourable position to finance projects anticipated for the 2019/20 financial year. The council has numerous projects planned for the year, with an overall project cost estimate of N.dollars 273 million, which includes N.dollars 97 million in multiple carry-over projects from 2018/19 and N.dollars 140 million for new capital projects planned for 2019/20. Some of the projects include the formalisation of the DRC informal settlement with funds received from Central Government, of which completion of both electrical and civil services is still progressing well, Ngwena noted. He further said regular sewerage blockages in Mondesa does not reflect healthy living standards, hence the councils intention to improve the system as part of the projects. These frequent occurrences are a concern to council and therefore it wishes to continue with relocating the entire midblock sewerage system for the communities in and around Mondesa at a budget of N.dollars 16.4 million. The councils provision for serviced land will only provide for the surveying and planning of affordable erven, with provision of serviced land and town planning envisioned to amount to N.dollars 7.7 million of the budget. Other projects include the construction and resurfacing of streets.The council has taken up this initiative to provide the required material and ensure local small contractors are appointed to provide the required labour, Ngwena said. The alternate chairperson added that this concept has proven itself to be more economical for the council, while also allowing it to establish business partnerships with small contractors in the community. With this, council creates employment and contributes to poverty eradication within the town, which is worth applauding, especially in light of the difficult economic conditions faced by our community. Public buildings, parks and gardens and business and market malls are also part of the councils planned projects. Ngwena noted that the council’s final budget addresses operational and infrastructure needs to maintain appropriate municipal services levels required by the Swakopmund community.

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3 Livelihood and Urban economy

3.1 Street vendors at Otjiwarongo secure selling points The Namibian|02/04/2019

Thirty-three meat vendors at Otjiwarongo, who used to operate from the Otavi Open Market, have secured a temporary selling point after they were removed by the municipality. The vendors were relocated to Jakaranda market in February this year, but they were unhappy with the new location as they said there is too much competition, and they were making less profits, than before. At a meeting convened by Otjozondjupa regional governor Otto Ipinge last Wednesday, the Otjiwarongo municipality's strategic executive for community services, Agatha Mweti, explained that the Otavi Open Market is on private land purchased for over N$4 million by a private businessman. “The new owner wants to develop the 6 347-square metre piece of land, which cannot happen if it is occupied,” she said. The vendors, who also attended the meeting, said their products used to sell faster at the Otavi Open Market, near the traffic circle on Otavi Road, as travellers from different regions would buy meat in bulk there. They also complained that Jakaranda is overcrowded, with more than 100 other vendors selling the same products, and that they want to operate from a location which is more strategically located. The vendors added that some of them were previously making N$300 a day at the Otavi Open Market, and called the new location a “waste of time.” They went as far as to say that they are prepared to go to jail if the governor and municipality fail to find somewhere new for them to operate from. Ipinge thereafter insisted that the vendors at least be moved to a temporary location on a piece of unserviced land near Indongo Toyota, not far from the Otavi Open Market, which was then identified for them to operate from. The municipality agreed to make it available for free while they look for funds to build a public market.

3.2 Gibeon cries, we have been forgotten The Namibian|04/04/2019

Going day-to-day with limited financial resources is a reality many Namibians experience, and with what they feel is little support from the government, some fear that they will never break the chains of poverty. It is even worse when someone is unemployed, with no financial means to take them from one month to the next. This, in a nutshell, is the dilemma faced by many residents of Gibeon village, located some 60 kilometres south of the Hardap region's capital, Mariental. During a recent visit, a few commonalities could be drawn from the village's different inhabitants – these are the feelings of neglect, disappointment and hopelessness. Those tasked with developing the village, however, disagreed with assertions that the village has been sidelined in Namibia's developmental agenda. One such person was Jeremia van Neel, the Gibeon constituency's councillor. “The Gibeon of 1992 is different from the one of today. There is a tarred road. Houses have been built. The government has spent N$35 million on the construction of the tourism centre, N$ 10 million on the sewerage system. So, I don't know what people are speaking about,” the councillor told Nampa. He said he had travelled the entire country, and when he looks at the extent to which Gibeon has grown compared to other places, it is sad to note that people do not appreciate, or at least notice, the transformation. “Somebody is lying when they say Gibeon is left behind. That is a political statement. I have been around the country. I have been to Ovitoto and Okanguati through the drought relief project, and some other places. They will cry if they see these places,” he stated. Van Neel added that it was about time the residents changed their mindsets from being employment seekers to employment creators. He said the government is the only source of employment at the village. All positions at the local school, the agriculture ministry's office, and the police station are occupied. “The people must change their mindsets. They must start businesses. The time to sit down and wait for the government to do everything is over,” Van Neel reiterated. On the opposing end is University of Namibia lecturer Phanuel Kaapama, who went to Gibeon aged just 13 to start Grade 7. He now holds the view that no significant

24 developmental and economic changes have taken place there since independence in 1990. Furthermore, he opined that Gibeon is on a downward trajectory in comparison to the colonial years. “Gibeon is not being recognised for its contribution. That's why when you go there today, it is in that state. I cannot point out a significant development that has taken place there since independence. “Why the non-recognition by a Swapo-led government, especially after what Gibeon did for Swapo? The only Swapo office that remained open and active from roundabout 1985 was the office at Gibeon, and it is still there. It was built by [the late] John Pandeni and Peter Iilonga,” Kaapama added. The village, with a population of about 4 000 inhabitants, has made a significant contribution to Namibia's self-determination and independence, having produced stalwarts such as Namibia's late deputy prime minister, reverend Hendrik Witbooi, and the late Nama chief, kaptein Hendrik (!Nanseb) Witbooi. Gibeon is further credited with opening its doors to some liberation struggle icons who fled their towns and villages during apartheid, including survivors of the Cassinga massacre. According to Kaapama, however, these contributions appear to have been forgotten if the delayed development is anything to go by. His sentiments were echoed by some residents, who feel independence without economic emancipation is meaningless. The 19-year-old Morne Burger said he is a school dropout and roams the streets after failing Grade 10 at Cornelius ||Oaseb Secondary School. “I am just at home. There is nothing to do. The young people are just drinking alcohol because there is simply nothing to do,” Burger, who lives with his mother and grandmother, told Nampa. “If I get a job, I can also help my mother because her salary is not enough to cater for herself, let alone for three people,” the hopeful youngster appealed. Also sharing her experience was 49-year-old Rebecca Garoes, who said her chief concern is the level of unemployment and alcohol abuse. Even for the few unemployed, like herself, making ends meet is nearly impossible. She proposed that the government should introduce developmental projects such as a community garden, where people can be employed, work for food and sell the surplus produce. She was also self-critical in her demands, and acknowledged some of their failures as a community. “Even if you start a garden here, one thing I know about the people of Gibeon is that they will work on something for a few months, and eventually abandon it,” she said, adding that the political leadership of the town is nonetheless trying its best to uplift the masses from the shackles of poverty. “But there is not much that they can do for us as the government does not have any money,” she lamented. She, however, pointed to the construction of toilets, the new village council office, and the state-of-the-art business park that have been developed. Anna-Justine Garoës, the chairperson of the Gibeon Village Council, said an overwhelming majority of the village's employable residents are without work due to a lack of economic opportunities. As a direct result of unemployment, the village today finds itself drowning in debt, owing N$ 10 million to the Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater) in 2015, which has since risen. “We are still struggling to pay NamWater because people are jobless and cannot pay. We have asked the government to write off the debt,” Garoës stated. However, she said all hope is not lost, as with its economic potential, strategic location and young population, Gibeon's fortunes could change should investors come on board. “The village is known for its tourist attractions, especially because of its rich history. If we get investors to come and build houses and service stations, like one investor is planning to do, we will get jobs for the youth,” she noted. She went on to say that the village council, in a bid to arrest the high poverty and unemployment levels, has given start-up capital to some young people to run their own small and medium enterprises. “Maybe if they see others running businesses, they will also be inspired to start their own,” Garoës said.

3.3 Windhoek Charity Fundraiser this weekend The Namibian|04/04/2019

Known for its charity outreach programmes, the Windhoek Charity Fundraiser (WCF) is making a comeback this Saturday as all roads lead to the University of Namibia stadium. For the third year running, the registered non-profit WCF will be hosting a Charity Cup featuring sports codes such as soccer, volleyball, netball and running. The first-ever event was held in 2017 and according to the organisers, over 1 200 persons showed up. Raising N$250 000 worth of sponsorships and donations,

25 these were then distributed to several children's homes in disadvantaged areas of the city. The second series of the WCF raised N$200 000 in sponsorships and donations while 2 500 people were in attendance. Kake Kashe, head of finance of the WCF, shared some insight on the impact of the organisation. “There was this one home we visited and they were out of food. They didn't know where to get their next meal until we came. Donors cut them off and these are about 500 to 600 children. The storeroom had nothing. That was touching.” Another case, Kashe stated, was of a woman whose debts were settled. “During the first event, we found a woman who was in debt with the municipality but we managed to sort out her account to zero. She relies on hand-outs.” Realising the significance of the contributions, the team has decided to embark on a value-addition project which allow a set up of a playground or a library. “We would also like to help the children with tutors for school,” Kashe said. So far, one of the sponsors has promised to donate eggs for a whole year to several of the children's homes, and the organisers were quite grateful to hear this news. As for how the event will be run this year, not much will change, however, more soccer teams from around the country have registered and hopefully the organisers are planning to put more emphasis on the kiddies corner. “The 2019 Windhoek Charity event aims to make a more sustainable impressions in the lives of these children with changes which will continue to benefit the homes long after the event is done,” a statement from the WCF said. Food and drinks will be available while a few small and medium enterprises will be selling merchandise. All proceeds will go to the children's homes. The event starts from 09h00 onwards and entrance is free, however, donations of all kinds are welcome.

3.4 Keetmanshoop hosts gala to promote upcoming expo New Era|04/04/2019

The Executive Committee for the Keetmanshoop Agricultural, Industrial and Tourism Expo recently held a gala dinner to raise funds for their upcoming expo. Speaking at the event, Hilma Nicanor, the Regional Councillor for Keetmanshoop Urban Constituency in the //Kharas Region said this event was taking place at a time Namibia’s local scope of trade and investment has not reached its full potential. In addition, she emphasized, “The Keetmanshoop Agricultural, Industrial and Tourism Expo should allow for an expanded business partnership to fully optimize the investment and economical potential that exist in the region, the country and in the Sadc Region at large.” The councillor encouraged “Namibian tourism agencies and businesses to intensify their promotional activities in the country”, considering the fact, Namibia was recently reclassified as one of the top tourism destinations in Asia. Citing wealth creation and economic growth as the basis for job creation and poverty eradication, Nicanor identified one of the critical challenges facing //Kharas being to overcome constraints to these socio-economic factors. “For this reason, it is imperative that as a region we must promote productivity and competitiveness as critical elements in wealth creation and economic growth,” she said. She furthermore expressed her gratitude towards the fact that the envisaged Keetmanshoop Agricultural, Industrial and Tourism Expo will make provision for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in order for them to make optimum use of this opportunity as they (SMEs) also contribute towards alleviating poverty and reducing unemployment in Namibia. “Allow me at this juncture to invite all businesses within our region to join hands with the Show Society to make it a success,” said Nicanor. She was also of the opinion one should not exclude those businesses that are able and willing to take part in the economic growth of the country. The councillor in addition advised that in order for the nation to overcome the struggle for economic emancipation “we need to make the necessary concerted efforts including participation of women and youth businesses.” According to the councillor, it makes a lot of sense for the Show Society to incorporate the tourism sector within the expo from this year as this region has a lot of tourist attractions with largely untapped potential. “In addition to that, it is critical the fishing sector becomes visible in the activities of the Show Society as an important economic sector in our country to help address the food security in our region,” Nicanor explained. She applauded the Show Society for giving the Keetmanshoop showgrounds a new facelift and furthermore erecting a sports field for motor race lovers to come and watch motor racing and spins when taking place. “It should be noted that the Show Society is a non-profitable organization which relies mostly on

26 sponsorships and consists of volunteers who organize this event on an annual basis,” she stated. In conclusion, she invited business fraternities all over Namibia to come on board in order to make this year’s Agricultural, Industrial and Tourism Expo even bigger and better. More than N$100 000 was raised during the event as pledged by businesses and individuals. The Keetmanshoop Agricultural, Industrial and Tourism Expo will be held from the 4 to 7 September 2019.

3.5 Jobless turn trash into cash Namibian sun|08/04/2019

Impoverished Grootfontein residents scavenging at dumpsites say they are struggling to find odd jobs and are left with no alternative but to survive on trash. On a recent visit to one of the dumpsites Namibian Sun observed how a number of people were sorting through the rubbish, in the hope of finding something to sell at a scrapyard in town. One of them was preparing soup. This was later served with mouldy bread found at the dumpsite. They said they have no alternative but to rummage through the trash in order to survive. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a 30-year-old man said it is the only way he survives. “Ever since I was a boy, I had to go to the various dumping sites and look for food and scrap materials, which I sell at the scrapyard to earn an income to survive,” he said. He said he was forced to leave school at an early age because of the conditions at home, saying his family faced extreme poverty and he had no choice but to find ways to survive. “Back then school was not free like it is now and my family could not pay for my school fees. I had no school uniform and going to school on an empty stomach made me decide to leave school, and the only place I could survive at was at the dumping sites,” he said. He added that scavenging is also not easy. At times he finds nothing to eat or sell at the scrapyard, saying there are too many of them looking for food and other items. “You must ensure you come as early as 06:00 in the morning because if you come later than that others would have made the discoveries.” Another young man, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said the suffering at home forced him to come to the dumpsites. Before he started frequenting the dumpsite, he used to work with his uncle doing odd jobs. “My uncle used to get me from our house so we could go look for odd jobs, such as assisting at construction sites, but when he got paid he would give me very little money and in some cases nothing; that’s why I stopped working with him and ended up here.” An elderly woman, who was sorting through garbage, said she was a resident of Blikkiesdorp informal settlement. Asked what she was doing at the dumpsite, she said she survives by collecting items to sell, so she can earn some money for her children, who live with their grandmother. “I am here just like anyone else looking for stuff to sell and provide for my children who are living with my mother,” she said. She explained she refuses to accept her fate, like many fellow impoverished residents have done at the town. “As much as people laugh at us for living off the dumping site, little do they know that we make an income from the waste, and with that money we buy our necessities in the same shops the rich people buy in,” she said. “When you buy your bread with money from your salary in Pick n Pay and Shoprite, I also buy my bread there. Money is just money; the only difference is that how you get it. Unfortunately we get ours from the dumping site.” Asked whether they are not concerned about their health, as they are cooking in the middle of dumpsite, the scavengers said they have been doing it for years and their health has not been compromised. Attempts to get comment from Grootfontein municipality spokesperson Luke Salomo since last Wednesday proved futile.

3.6 Namoysters’ highly sought-after New Era|10/04/2019

While Namibian oysters remain one of the most sought after culinary treats on the highly-competitive international mariculture markets, local producers are going at great lengths to meet the high demand. In addition to the high demand abroad, producers also have to satisfy the increasing domestic consumer demand that has been pushed up by tourists visiting the country. One of the local oyster farming enterprises, Namoyster, says tourists feast on approximately 5000 oysters monthly during boat tours that leave daily from Walvis Bay. Namibian oysters are said to be ‘meaty’ and contain

27 intense flavour in addition to its sweet fatty taste, hence its popularity across the world. Figures provided by Namoyster co-owner Theunis Keulder indicate that the company currently produces roughly 800 000 oysters per year on its 10 hectare fish farm. Government has allocated 100 hectares to mariculture on which most of the country’s fishing activities take place. Although oyster farming has boomed in recent years, it will take decades for local producers to forget the 2008 disaster that crippled the industry when 15 of the 18 oyster farms were destroyed by a devastating sulphuric eruption. However, the 2008 disaster has seemingly not stopped Namoyster’s vivid dream to take oyster farming to greater heights. Apart from the frequent outbreaks of harmful algae blooms as well as sulphur eruptions, Keulder said “the Namibian coastline is very productive due to the Benguela current upwelling.” New Era was recently privileged to witness first-hand how the delicate oyster harvesting process-that is under constant threatened by sulphuric eruptions from the seabed-flourish at sea. Namoyster, said Keulder, currently buys juvenile oyster stock from two oyster farms in Lüderitz, who in turn buy their spat from a Swakopmund operator, Richwater Oyster Company, or import oyster spat from Brazil and Chile. “Take in mind that Namoyster has a grow-out farm in Lüderitz as well, which is operated in cooperation with Five Roses Aquaculture. At this facility, the oysters are grown to cocktail size which is about 50 to 70 grams,” he explained. After that, the oysters are then transported to Walvis Bay and grown out in oyster baskets hanging below drums, which are in turn fastened on fishing lines, of which Namoyster has 20. He said a single oyster can filter about 30 liters of water an hour to feast on plankton, hence the importance of efficient seawater circulation. Due to this, the baskets in which the oysters are kept, are raised and thoroughly washed every four to six weeks to get rid of particles that can hamper the oysters from feeding. When it comes to upholding health standards, Keulder said Namoyster has to periodically submit oyster samples to the Namibia Standards Institution (NSI), who conduct monthly tests to ascertain that heavy metals, cadmium and other marine toxins such as Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning are at acceptable levels for consumers. “If they are above internationally agreed levels, oysters may not be harvested. In such cases Namoyster has enough stock in its tanks onshore to supply the local market, he said.

3.7 Job losses as Etosha Fishing sells its vessels The Namibian|12/04/2019

Poor catches in foreign waters have forced Etosha Fishing Corporation to sell all three of its purse seine a net which may be drawn into the shape of a bag vessels, resulting in the retrenchment of 19 employees. The three-year ban on local pilchard catches imposed in 2018 has left the company with no other choice but to deploy its vessels to neighbouring Angola and other foreign waters in an effort to sustain jobs and the running costs of these vessels. “Low catch rates have compounded the financial burden of operating our vessels in foreign waters, which has left the company with no other choice but to sell all our purse seine vessels. This means that we are no longer in a position to provide employment to the crew of these vessels,” Nezette Beukes, acting MD of Etosha Fishing, explained. She added that some of the employees affected are net workers. The three vessels are the 'Prowess', 'Advance' and 'Morgenster'. Beukes said negotiations with the recognised union, the Namibian Seamen and Allied Workers Union (Nasawu), officially started in January. Formal notification was also issued to the Office of the Labour Commissioner on the matter. “Affected staff members were initially informed of possible retrenchments as early as December 2018. We wanted to make sure that our employees are well-informed from the start of the process to avoid any uncertainty, and to ensure transparency throughout the process,” she added. Nasawu vice president Epson Kavekuire, who conducted the negotiations on behalf of the retrenched staff, expressed his satisfaction with the manner in which the process was concluded. “As a union, we oppose any job losses, but Etosha is caught in a very difficult position. If they cannot catch, they cannot provide work,” he observed. Etosha Fishing still operates one vessel, the Iona, which was converted to a refrigerated seawater vessel at a substantial cost in 2018 to be able to fish in local waters, landing horse mackerel fresh for processing at its cannery at Walvis Bay. The company operates the oldest cannery in Namibia, and currently employs 44 permanent workers and close to 550 seasonal staff at its cannery. The mainstay of its

28 business over the years has been the canning of pilchards for leading brands such as Lucky Star and Glenryck SA. In response to Namibia's dwindling pilchard resource, Etosha started importing frozen pilchards as far back as 2010, and thereafter annually increased it for processing on local soil in order to sustain its operations and jobs at its cannery at Walvis Bay. It also invested significantly in thawing equipment to process the imported pilchards. The company also spearheaded value-addition to horse mackerel in 2013 when it became the first company to successfully can locally caught horse mackerel under its own product range called Efuta. This brand celebrated its fifth anniversary in December 2018, with nearly five million cans sold annually. In December 2017, fisheries minister Bernhard Esau announced that Namibia will not harvest pilchard for the next three years, due to climate change. Consequently, the total allowable catch (TAC) for pilchard was set at zero metric tonnes for the years 2018-2020 in order to allow the species to recover. It was already affecting job security, and more job losses were forecast. The only hope for saving jobs in the pilchard industry was by allocating horse mackerel quotas. The aggressive exploitation of Namibia's pilchards before independence, and poor decisions by the fisheries ministry since then, exacerbated by growing seal populations and climate change, have all been blamed for a situation from which there does not appear to be any turning back for the industry.

3.8 Walvis Bay Port investment to grow The Namibian|12/04/2019

The capacity of the port of Walvis Bay is expected to grow as a result of ongoing investment projects, therefore greater attention is required in managing international logistics sustainably. This is to ensure that Namibia becomes a logistics hub for the Southern African Development Community region by 2025. The first-ever Namibia state of logistics (NSoL) report for 2018 released by the Walvis Bay Corridor Group on Tuesday said the growth trajectory of the main components of the gross domestic product more or less followed a similar path. It indicated that 2018 throughput at the port of Walvis Bay showed improvement of volumes in September, surpassing 2017 figures by 6 159 metric tonnes. This represents a significant increase of 9, 2% from 66 769 tonnes in September 2017 to 72 928 tonnes in September 2018. Namibia's performance in areas such as trade, community involvement, documents, and automation and information availability improved over the 2015-2017 period, although there was a decline in appeals procedures as well as in governance and impartiality, based on the trade facilitation indicators. The report also highlighted that the port of Walvis Bay handled 93,1% of total cargo (gross tonnage) transiting to and from neighbouring countries in 2017 with Zambia, Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Botswana and Zimbabwe being the main markets for transit cargo by volume. Zambia was the dominant market for transit cargo, and accounted for 51, 8% of all inbound transit cargo via the port in 2017, up from 47, 9% in 2016, which represents a 50, 9% increase in the volume of imports to that country. Similarly, Zambian exports comprising mostly copper and wood products accounted for 85, 7% of total outbound transit cargo by volume (metric tonnes), up from 72, 5% in 2016. The report also said Namibia's railway network transports approximately 1, 2 billion tonnes of cargo annually.

3.9 Fishing company to the rescue Namibian Sun|16/04/2019

A local fishing company has come to the rescue of a destitute couple at Gcigco village in Kavango West, and three other needy families, by donating items worth N$23 000 to them. Namibian Sun recently reported on Hilarius Hausiku (63) and his 54-year-old partner Beata Nepembe, who do not have a bed and are exposed to snakes in their traditional hut. They are also struggling to put food on the table. On Saturday, Ombaye Fishing Company donated items to the couple as well as to three other destitute families identified by the office of Ncuncuni constituency councillor Ritha Sindjanga. Ombaye chairman Libolly Haufiku and managing director Lukas Uutoni said they were moved by the Namibian Sun article. They donated steel beds, mattresses, blankets, pillows, fresh and tinned fish, maize meal, sugar and

29 cooking oil, as well as cosmetics, to the four families. “After the story broke in Namibian Sun, Ombaye Fishing - a company that takes its corporate social responsibility very seriously -decided it was something to look at and we took action immediately,” Haufiku said. He explained that after consultations with Sindjanga, they decided to assist there other destitute families. “As a fishing company, we have a corporate social responsibility. The fish belongs to all Namibians, so whatever we get is for all of us to share. Ombaye has been at the forefront of that,” Haufiku said. He also used the opportunity to call on other companies to give back, especially to people in need. Hausiku, who could not contain his joy, said they are thankful to Ombaye. “Thank you very much to Ombaye and all those who were involved. Continue to assist other people in need. May God bless you,” he added.

3.10 Otjozondjupa governor declares Tsumkwe a special area New Era|17/04/2019

The Governor of Otjozondjupa Region Otto Ipinge has declared Tsumkwe Constituency a special area that needs special developmental attention. Ipinge recently concluded his two-day visit to Tsumkwe, accompanied by high-profile government officials such as mines and energy minister Tom Alweendo, deputy education minister Anna Nghipondoka, deputy minister of home affairs Maureen Hinda, as well as Royal /Ui/o/oo, the deputy minister of marginalised communities. The group held a number of meetings with community members of Tsumkwe, Gam and Mangetti Dune, aimed at mapping the aspects of socio-economic development and enhancing social progression in the area. With regard to education, Nghipondoka was particularly concerned with the issue of ever increasing cases of child marriage that, as a result, lead to a high school dropout rate. Such practice hinders the social progression of the girl-child in Namibian schools, the deputy minister said. She further urged for a paradigm shift in cultural practice, hence a need for parental involvement in shaping academic goals for young girls and boys. “We need to keep our youngsters in schools, so we should commit to nurture and protect them as parents,” said Nghipondoka. On home affairs, huge concern was raised by many people living in Gam settlement, having migrated from neighbouring Botswana where scores of Namibians had fled to avoid killings by German colonial forces. This group raised the challenge of obtaining Namibian citizenship by registration versus citizenship by descent as possessed by some of their counterparts. This status, according to them, reduces their fair chance of employment and other benefits, hence they feel disadvantaged. Home affairs deputy minister Hinda reacted that in order for an individual to acquire citizenship in any given country, they first have to denounce their previous ones, which is only done after the age of 21 years. She further referred to the law and policy aspects involved and guided individuals not to lie about their background with the motive to obtain national documents. “Cabinet is keen on tabling a Bill to this effect,” she said. /Ui/o/oo encouraged members from particularly the San, Ovatue and Ovatjimba communities to approach his office for any kind of assistance needed. Alweendo, while responding to questions pertaining to the provision of electricity, pleaded with the regional electricity distribution company Cenored, whose representatives were also present at the gathering together with officials of the Electricity Control Board (ECB) and NamPower, to collectively render service delivery as per their mandate. Apart from concerns about lack of water and electricity, inhabitants of Gam, Tsumkwe and Mangetti Dune also alluded to issues of a lack of a mortuary in the area, the absence of an ambulance in case of emergency and that there has been no medical doctor outreach for the past three years at the two state medical health centres in the area. They also want the 300-km gravel road connecting Gam to Grootfontein to be upgraded to bitumen standard urgently in order for motorists to commute with ease between the two areas.

3.11 Workers at Katima’s Oshilongo Energy fear retrenchments New Era|17/04/2019

Oshilongo Energy Shell filling station in Katima Mulilo is facing serious financial challenges that could lead to rentrenchment of some of its 20 employees. As of late last year, the filling station would go for days without fuel, while employees’ salaries have also been numerously delayed. The fuel station is

30 currently without fuel and employees did not receive their March salaries up to now. The filling station, which also has a grocery shop and houses fast food supplier Pizza Inn, has been a preferred destination for Katima residents. When New Era visited the premises yesterday, the filling station was closed with only two security guards looking after the premises. Pockets of customers also arrived at the station but left as soon as they realised it is not in operation. Approached for comment, the owner of the filling station Nico Muatuli confirmed to New Era that the filling station has not opened in recent weeks because there is no fuel delievred to it. “There has been a delay from my fuel suppliers,” he said. “There are some reasons why there has been a delay, which I cannot share with the media.” New Era understands some employees have left their job at the station, while the remaining ones are contemplating a strike to demand what is due to them. Muatuli denied allegations that workers did not receive their salary for March.

3.12 Hangana Seafood to construct N$300 million factory New Era|17/04/2019

Fisheries minister Bernhardt Esau has called for economic inclusivity in the fishing sector to ensure that Namibia's fisheries wealth is distributed equitably. “This should include equal participation of workers and payment of living wages to workers because they are the primary economic drivers in the fishing industry,” he said. Esau made these remarks during the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a new N$300 million processing facility for Hangana Seafood, a subsidiary of the Ohlthaver & List Group, at Walvis Bay on Monday. Investments in the fishing industry should also be accompanied by proportionate job creation, which is one of the requirements on the scorecard for the allocation of fishing quotas and which is currently being prepared to be gazetted, he said. The minister further called upon the private sector to invest more in fisheries value addition, especially in hake and horse mackerel, as there is still a significant value addition gap to bridge. Hangana Seafood managing director Herman Theron in his address explained that the existing Hangana processing facility has a net asset value of close to N$4 million and a capacity of 21 900 metric tonnes throughput per year. The new factory will enable the company to extract more value from its raw material and deliver products in demand. “The new facility will have a capacity of 25 000 metric tonnes throughput a year, as well as the cold storage capacity of 2 500 metric tonnes which will be utilised for internal use and also to provide a service to other players in the industry in need of storage space/capacity.” A further investment of N$19, 8 million will allow Hangana to process other fish species such as horse mackerel within the next five years in the existing factory, Theron added. The construction is expected to be completed in September 2020 and will be an expansion of Hangana's existing processing facility at Walvis Bay.

3.13 Grootfontein grapples with challenges Namibian Sun|24/04/2019

Grootfontein residents are faced with a number of challenges, including filthy streets, escalating crime, high youth unemployment and lack of sanitation facilities, especially in informal settlements. Ewi lyaNooli visited the town and engaged the local council on how it plans to address these issues. Grootfontein, which has a population of about 25 000 inhabitants, includes areas like Blikkiesdorp, Hakahana and Omulunga, where thousands of residents reside in harsh living conditions. The waste management challenge is highlighted by the fact that streets and open spaces have turned into dumping sites. Municipal containers overflow with rubbish and heaps of filth are commonplace in some parts of the town. Residents blamed the council, saying there are too few municipal rubbish containers, resulting in litter being discarded in open areas and even next to the containers. Residents said the municipality should either increase the number of containers or empty them more than once a week. Grootfontein municipality spokesperson Luke Salomo explained the containers are emptied once week, but if a container is full, they can revisit an area and empty it. He said it is just a matter of residents calling their office and the council will respond. “The containers are emptied once a week in

31 all our residential areas of Grootfontein. However, I must state that when there is a need to revisit an area more than twice, members of the public are welcome to call our office and we will delightedly go and pick up such waste, especially if it is domestic waste,” Salomo said. Residents also told Ewi lyaNooli that crime is rife in Grootfontein, especially in informal settlements where there are no satellite police stations. A resident of Blikkiesdorp said one cannot go away for more than two days, as criminals will find a way to break into your shack and steal the valuables they find. “If you leave your place unattended for two days or more you will be lucky to find your things in your shack. Here people will rob you, and by the time you open a case with the police, the chances of recovering your items is very slim. It's better that you get someone in the community and let them stay in your shack while you are away,” the resident said. He attributed the escalating crime rate to high youth unemployment at the town, saying the majority of young people in Grootfontein are unemployed and have turned to crime as a means of making ends meet. He further called on the police to consider setting up a satellite station at Blikkiesdorp, where thousands of people reside in informal conditions. Salomo said the council works closely with the police to address the issue of crime and plans are afoot to bring a mobile police station to Blikkiesdorp. “As a matter of fact, we have to make office space for the police at Omulunga, in order to bring police-related activities to the community of Omulunga and Blikkiesdorp. Plans are still underway; I am informed they will have a mobile police station at Blikkiesdorp, in order to address the issue of crime in that area.”

3.14 Omuthiya positions itself as preferred business destination New Era|25/04/2019

Amid widespread business closures and nationwide job losses as a result of an economic meltdown, the Omuthiya Town Council says it has repositioned itself as an emerging and preferred business destination for informal, small and medium enterprises. Council said this with reference to the recently established business ventures such as Build It Omuthiya and the construction of Cunene Africa complex to house Shoprite, as well as the establishment of Namibia Fish Consumption Promotion Trust at the town. “As much as the economy is bad, we have not experienced any shop closures in town; instead we have seen a rise in the number of projects that bring growth both economically and employment creation,” stressed the town council’s economic development planner, David Israel. Israel further pointed the completion of 50 NHE houses, saying they will bring and attract more people which means increased buying power. “We have also experienced an increase in the number of new Chinese business personnel establishing shops, migrating from other towns. Another notable sign the economy is relatively stable is the increase of vendors from nearby regions coming to trade in Omuthiya; so all these are economic indicators that we are still on the right trajectory,” boasted Israel. Contrary to the local business fraternity’s impressions, Israel is upbeat. Furthermore, Israel said the economic backbone of the town is with the human resource within, working in villages within the catchment areas, of which Omuthiya serves as the preferred town for immediate service. “These catchments include teachers, police officers, nurses and the community who in general are subsistence farmers.This is supplemented by the town’s strategic location as it serves commuters to and from the far northern regions as well as Angola. The proximity of the town to Etosha is also another benefit especially for the hospitality industry,” he added. In addition, he said, to stay afloat and to lure more investors’ council offers incentives when acquiring land for development purposes.

3.15 Vetkoek business gets a boost at Okaku Namibian Sun|26/04/2019

The Okaku constituency office in the Oshana Region has decided to support the local vetkoek business by donating ingredients to the vendors, most of them women. Sugar, flour and cooking oil worth N$60 000 were distributed to 65 entrepreneurs. The control administration officer at the Okaku constituency office, Fillemon Jatileni, said the office had been sponsoring community gardens for the past three years, but they failed to materialise. “This is not a one-day business but an everyday business and

32 owners are working hard to support their families and get out of poverty,” he said. “Some of these small business people are struggling ... and that is why we decided to support them in order to boost their businesses,” said Jatileni. Jatileni said the money was sourced from the regional government's food-security scheme (N$30 878) and rural employment scheme (N$29 489). The constituency councillor, Hannu Kapenda, handed over the donations at his office on Wednesday. Ana Jonas (63) from Oneleiwa village, who has been in the business since 1980, said she was grateful, as the donation would make a big difference in her life. “Since 1980 I have been struggling with this business and today we received much-needed help. I am going to work hard to see how I can improve my business and help my house. I have a big family that depends on this business. Getting this support is a blessing,” Jonas said. Epifania Ndakolo (35) from Onyeka village said the donation was the last thing she expected, given the economic situation in the country. “I was struggling with the business. I sell vetkoek at Onyeka School, but the business is not so good this year because many mahangu fields gave nothing. Our customers are school kids who make money from cultivating mahangu fields after school. Getting this donation is a blessing because I did not expect it. All I am going to do is to buy fish to supplement my stock,” said Ndakolo. Jatileni said he hoped the donation would motivate the beneficiaries to work harder. He said he would visit them to assess how they are doing.

3.16 SMEs drive economic growth Namibian Sun|26/04/2019

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are important drivers of growth, employment and innovation in and around the northern town of Ondangwa. It is against this background that the town council has prioritised this important sector by providing business training sessions for local SMEs. The training involves business management, bookkeeping and customer care. Gerhard Sam, the council's manager for local economic development and marketing, says SMEs are the drivers of economic growth and job creation, which ultimately supports efforts to reduce poverty in Namibia. “We reserve ample exhibition space for the SMEs to showcase their products. We believe that this is the ideal space needed for SMEs to market and demonstrate their products or services to the people. I therefore urge the local entrepreneurs to make use of the opportunity created and market their services and products,” he says. “During the Ondangwa Trade and Industrial Exhibition we often organise business coaching or training sessions for local SMEs in areas such as business management, bookkeeping and customer care. The introduction of awards for exhibitors also motivates them greatly. They in return get recognition from others, boost customer confidence and trust in their services and goods.” Sam says there is a strong demand from SMEs to participate in the exhibition, judging by the overwhelming number of applications received. For food and beverages stalls, the organisers received up to 200 applications and only 30 applicants could be accommodated. There is also a huge demand for space in the tent accommodating vendors of traditional products. “We are happy to announce that many of our exhibitors who attended our business development training over the past years, particularly food and beverage exhibitors, are now providing catering services to local banks, corporates and to council functions,” said Sam. Council spokesperson Petrina Shitalangaho says this year the town has spent approximately N$200 000 on improving 25 general stalls earmarked for SMEs.

3.17 OTIE brings hope to Ondangwa Namibian Sun|26/04/2019

The Ondangwa Trade and Industrial Exhibition (OTIE) is designed to promote business and industrial development at the northern town, with small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs) and the manufacturing sector making up the majority of exhibitors. Over the past eight years that Ondangwa has been hosting this event, the town and its surrounding areas have seen SMEs thriving and the manufacturing sector growing at a rapid pace. There are direct benefits to businesses that get an opportunity to exhibit and trade at the exhibition centre. The economy of Ondangwa receives a much-needed boost during the exhibition period as exhibitors and visitors alike make use of accommodation facilities, eateries, service

33 stations and retailers. “We are also seeing the manufacturing sector coming up in Ondangwa and we believe that it's through supporting and growing this sector that we as a town and as a country will create jobs for the locals,” says town CEO Ismael Namgongo. “It is a proven fact that jobs in developed economies are created in the SME and the manufacturing sectors. With that understanding, the organising committee has extended a gesture to all Ondangwa-based manufacturers, small and established ones, to come and showcase their products at very favourable terms. “Ondangwa is one of the few towns in the country that is blessed with a lot of comparative advantages. “It is an ideal place to do business and you are guaranteed easy access to the entire population in the north, it is easy to reach all corners of the north-central regions; one doesn't necessarily need to set up businesses in all corners and towns in the north but once you set up shop in Ondangwa, you are guaranteed of the market in the north.” According to Namgongo, the town continues to ensure that it is investor friendly at all times. “As a council, we make sure that the business environment is good to do business in the area and we make sure that supporting infrastructure for business to thrive (business/industrial land, safety and security and other basic services such as water) are available and complemented by other infrastructure such as roads, air transport and rail transport. Having the above advantages over the other towns is a good thing but the economy of Ondangwa and that of Oshana, and subsequently that of the whole country, is still growing compared to bigger economies of the world and in situations like this, we need everyone in the economy to play their part.”

SME COMMITMENT

Namgongo says the town also remains committed to see the growth of the local SME and manufacturing sectors, starting with the annual trade and industrial exhibition. “Ondangwa hosts relatively small but fast growing manufacturers and through this event, council is giving them an opportunity to promote their products. “Council is calling upon all manufacturers to partner with us in this drive; just call our office and council can offer affordable/favourable opportunities to either showcase your products or set up business in Ondangwa,” he says. “This event is structured in a way that it promotes both public and private businesses and services. For business to grow, business leaders need information on their businesses and opportunities that are available. “The event is therefore a platform where the public institutions (government ministries, SOEs, NGOs, municipalities) are taking part in an effort to interact with the general community and give information about the services they are offering to the people. “Of course as a council we always use this platform to interact with the residents of Ondangwa, business community and with potential investors.”

3.18 Indongo Ford sets up shop in north Namibian Sun|26/04/2019

Business tycoon Frans Aupa Indongo has done it again. This time around the businessman, who chairs the Frans Indongo Group, has opened a new vehicle dealership, Indongo Ford, at Oshakati's Continental Number One complex. The dealership, which opened its doors recently, serves the entire north, including towns such as Ongwediva, Outapi and Ondangwa. “I have been blessed with a long business life. During this period, spanning over a number of decades, I was particularly blessed to venture into a number of new business opportunities. Entrepreneurs have the obligation to identify and utilise opportunities, not only to their own benefit, but also to assist in the development of Namibia. The investment in Indongo Ford, which is small compared to some of our other investments, gives me extraordinary pleasure,” Indongo said. “For many of you who know my background, you will appreciate that the establishment of Indongo Ford here at the Continental One complex is emotionally very special to me. It is here where I started decades ago, establishing myself as a Namibian businessman. This is here where I sweated, worried, persevered and through the grace of God almighty survived and conquered.” Dealer principal of Indongo Ford Tanja Beukes said the Indongo Group's motor divisions employ more than 250 people ranging from managers to mechanics and sales personnel. She added that the new Oshakati dealership has provided job opportunities to 23 people.

34

The Ford dealership is opened to offer convenient service to people in northern Namibia and it has a showroom and vehicle service and maintenance unit. As an extension of the global Ford Motor Company based in Dearborn, Michigan, Indongo Ford has joined the Ford Motor Company of South Africa which has been an active participant in the South African motor industry since 1923. All Ford vehicles offer smart technologies, stylish design, fuel efficiency, safety, and service and maintenance excellence at affordable prices, giving drivers peace of mind on the road and in their pockets. “It was in late 2015 when we decided to bring a remarkable motor brand, Ford, to the north. Our investment has been received with such excitement and we have seen only support from the residents in these towns of the north,” said Beukes. “Team Indongo Ford is committed to earning customer loyalty by delivering sales and service experiences with high quality, excellent value, integrity and enthusiasm.”

3.19 Counting the cost of theft Namibian Sun|26/04/2019

Windhoek's Northern Industrial Area may be the best place to source a range of goods during business hours, but at night the area becomes a crime hotspot, according to business owners. They complain of frequent break-ins, as well as shoplifting. Linda Kruger, who runs a shop selling cleaning materials, says she has noticed a spike in crime in the area, particularly over the Easter weekend. “These past weeks have been absolute chaos. The Northern Industrial Area has been a hotbed of crime recently. The theft that occurs at my business as far as I can tell has been brazen and I refuse to implicate any of my staff members,” she said. Kruger, whose business is located across from the police garage, says not even the police presence deters thieves. “Right through the night it is busy, they are not even afraid of the police presence in the area. I don't like it anymore, I am fed up,” she says. Kruger says the constant vigilance distracts her attention from other aspects of her business. “I have to constantly check the cameras. It takes my time away from focusing on other critical matters. I look at my cameras the whole time. It costs us time and money that could have been deployed elsewhere,” she says. Over at the Fresh Produce Market, manager Jandré Cornelissen says shoplifting and other thefts have a large impact on their bottom line. After a recent burglary, Cornelissen had to fork out N$30 000 to replace security equipment. “We have incidents where staff members eat loose items in the shop. Those items cost money and we have to package our produce just to avoid this. “The wrapping costs money and it adds to the price that customers have to pay. Sometimes staff members also eat items in the name of so-called quality checks. This affects us,” he says. “We had to replace our security system recently. We suffered a break-in and this is expected to cost us a lot, certainly close to N$30 000 just to replace the security system and this has a huge impact. If we claim from the insurance it just affects our premiums,” he said. Carmen Bester, the financial manager at Swachrome, says that business also suffers financially because of theft. Ben van Niekerk, who runs a bakery in the area, feels that owners must introduce measures to guard against theft. “It is the responsibility of all business owners to create a healthy, secure and controlled environment within their businesses to ensure that these issues are managed. “Theft takes place anywhere in world. Owners who underpay their staff and lack in control systems will have more of these issues than others,” Van Niekerk says.

3.20 Nearly N$ 900 000 raised for Oshakati Totem Expo New Era|30/04/2019

A gala dinner held to raise funds for this year’s Oshakati Totem Expo on Saturday raised over N$870 000. The event will take place from 24 May to 01 June at the Oshakati Independence Stadium. Standard Bank Namibia contributed the highest amount of N$100 000, followed by Rani Trading with N$75 000 and Fysal Property Developers and the Oshakati Town Council with N$50 000 each. A portrait of the late Ohamba Mandume yaNdemufayo of Oukwanyama was auctioned off for N$15 000 to businessman Kornelius Ndjoba. Another businessman, Ndilimani Iipumbu bought a portrait of the late Omukwaniilwa Nehale lyaMpingana of Ondonga for N$5 000. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who officiated the gala dinner,

35 bought a portrait of the late Omukwaniilwa (king) Iipumbu yaShilongo of Uukwambi for N$3 500. Nandi-Ndaitwah urged Namibians to make use of culture for social justice and national development. “It is said a nation without culture is like a tree without leaves,” she stated before urging individuals and businesses to continue supporting the expo to help preserve culture. The Oshakati Town Council has hosted the Totem Expo since 2012. It involves commercial activities and a parade of 15 floats showcasing the totems of participating groups’ respective regions down Oshakati’s main road.

3.21 Nkurenkuru raises more than N$ 200 000 for expo New Era|30/04/2019

The Nkurenkuru Town Council held a gala dinner on Sunday where N.dollars 257 300 was raised for its expo taking place from 24 to 30 June. The main sponsor of the expo is the Northern Regional Electricity Distributor (Nored), which availed N.dollars 50 000, followed by Standard Bank with N.dollars 40 000 and First National Bank sponsoring N.dollars 30 000. Nkurenkuru Chief Executive Officer Petrus Sindimba told Nampa during this year’s expo, the town council is expecting 126 stalls to be filled. So far, seven exhibitors have booked stalls and Sindimba thus called on interested local parties, as well as those from outside the country, to also take part. The town council has distributed application forms to various constituency offices in the Kavango West Region for those who are interested in booking a space. Sindimba said some of the money will be used for the construction of a hall for exhibitors. We will also use this hall for other purposes such as conferences, meetings and weddings, he said. He added that they need proper stalls for exhibitors as during last year’s expo, they used tents. The town council will during the expo also develop a strategy on how youth unemployment in the region, which is very high, can be addressed. Sindimba said the unemployment rate of Kavango West, according to the Namibia Labour Force Survey of 2018, stood at 36.4 per cent in 2016 and 33 per cent in 2018, while youth unemployment stood at 46 per cent in 2018. It is important that the youth become champions of developmental initiatives in their respective constituencies, he said. The official opening of the expo by former President Hifikepunye Pohamba, who is the events patron, will take place on 26 June

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4 Environment & Human Health

4.1 Shifeta suspends sand mining at Onanime, Iiheke Namibian Sun|01/04/2019

Minister of Environment and Tourism Pohamba Shifeta on Friday ordered the suspension of the environmental clearance certificates for sand mining issued to the Uukwambi Traditional Authority in December last year. The environmental commissioner granted the two certificates for sand at Iiheke Ya Nakele and Onanime. In the presence of hundreds members of the affected Ekamba, Onenongo and Onanime communities, Shifeta ordered the suspension of the certificates until proper consultations are held and an agreement is reached by all parties. He also ordered that the affected communities should benefit from the income accrued from sand mining in their respective areas. Members of the affected communities, Lukas Nantanga for Iiheke Ya Nakele and Susan Herman for Onanime, during hearings held on 22 February this year appealed against the environmental commissioner’s decision to grant the certificates. Shifeta presided over the hearings in February. The appellants pleaded for the minister to suspend the environmental clearance certificate in order to allow the parties to negotiate, he said while delivering his judgment on Friday. He at the same time emphasised that Uukwambi Traditional Authority representative at the hearings and member of the Chief Council, Reinhold Iita failed to substantiate that affected communities were consulted before the issuing of the certificates as required by the Environmental Management Act. Members of the affected communities took to the street to celebrate their victory, shortly after Shifeta ordered the suspension of the two certificates. We are very happy with the ruling, this is just an appeal victory so we have a long way to go, Nantanga said, adding that the community, traditional authority and other stakeholders will decide on the way forward. On her part, Herman described Shifeta’s decision as fair and said it is what the affected communities have been asking for. We are looking forward to working together to ensure that what we have been asking for, is implemented, said Herman. Oshana regional councillor for Okatana Constituency, Rosalia Shilenga-Mateus and her counterpart from the Oshakati West Constituency, Johannes Andreas were also present as Shifeta delivering his judgement.

4.2 Vandalism blunts hepatitis response Namibian Sun|02/04/2019

Most toilets installed in Windhoek's informal settlements since the outbreak of hepatitis E in 2017 have been vandalised or destroyed. Windhoek mayor Muesee Kazapua has appealed to people living in the informal settlements to stop the vandalism. He said the toilets were a crucial component of efforts to clamp down on the outbreak, which has claimed 41 lives and has shown no signs of slowing down. “Most of the toilet facilities we put in place as a response to the outbreak are already vandalised. This ignorance and lack of ownership from the side of the residents hampers the successful implementation of the response plan,” the mayor said. He urged residents to take ownership of facilities in their areas and to report acts of vandalism to the police. Chronic vandalism has plagued the city's poorest neighbourhoods for some time. In August last year Namibian Sun reported that the municipality had spent close to N$1 million on repairing and upgrading water and sanitation facilities in the informal settlements. Half of the repaired toilets were subsequently vandalised. Windhoek's informal settlements were ground zero for the hepatitis E outbreak and remain the most affected. By 20 January, 30 of the 40 reported hepatitis deaths in the country were from the Khomas Region. In January 2018 the Windhoek city council adopted an action plan with a budget of more than N$31 million to tackle the outbreak. At last week's council meeting, Kazapua informed councillors of the recent re-launch of the hepatitis-E response, dubbed Operation Sanitizer. The campaign is spearheaded by Dr Bernard Haufiku, former health minister and now special advisor to the Presidency tasked with the coordination of the Hepatitis E response. Since the beginning of the outbreak in 2017, 620 cases of the disease had been confirmed by laboratory tests, Haufiku said last month. He said an

37 assessment carried out by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in the Oshana, Omusati and Erongo regions identified large gaps in the response. Among these were poor coordination between response teams and shortcomings in the provision of water, sanitation and hygiene.

4.3 Support for conservancies in Kavango East The Namibian|04/04/2019

The George Mukoya and Muduva Nyangana conservancies in the Khaudum north complex of Kavango East region, have been experiencing increasing cases of human-wildlife conflict, mainly involving elephants which damage water infrastructure. According to the Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF), the two conservancies are constructing ring trenches around six identified water points in exclusive wildlife zones in a bid to reduce this conflict. These ring trenches are stone walls built around water points to prevent elephants from damaging water infrastructure. Trenches at two water points have been completed so far. This programme is supported by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism and the NNF, with funding from the German government, facilitated by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). “The two conservancies are fully engaged on this assignment. They are involved in planning and carrying out the actual construction, including the responsibility of collecting stones and construction of the trenches,” said NNF which added that in return they receive an income. Institutional support from government ministries, NGOs, donors and the private sector towards community development initiatives plays a crucial role in bringing positive change within communities and empowers conservancies to join hands and take collective action on the natural resources around them. “It is for this reason that NNF, has been working with the MET and the Ministry of Agriculture in these conservancies since 2010, providing institutional support, natural resource management and biodiversity conservation, as well as enterprise development for direct benefits to the local communities,” the NNF said. For the construction of the ring trenches, the Directorate of Wildlife and National Oarks, in the Kavango East oversees the construction and the transportation of the stones from where they are collected to the construction site. The NNF uses funds provided under the German-Namibian cooperation to purchase the necessary materials and pay community members who build the trenches. Additional funds are used to provide technical support to conservancies in the Kavango East and West regions to manage their natural resources. The NNF also received a loaned Ford Ranger double cab vehicle from the Ford Wildlife Foundation in September 2018, for promoting environmental sustainability along with community participation in the conservancies. This enables the project coordinator to attend meetings with community members and conduct site visits. The chairperson of the George Mukoya conservancy, Jacob Hamutenya, remarked: “For us to be a community that we ought to be, sustainably developed and with well managed resources, it is necessary that we join forces with relevant public and private agencies.” Hamutenya added that the ring trenches assignment is a great example of collaboration, as it brought these two conservancies and support organisations together in pursuit of one aim – to reduce human-elephant conflict. *NNF is one of Namibia's leading conservation and sustainable development non-governmental organisations, contributing to a wide range of programmes through its core technical skills, financial and project management expertise. NNF has evolved into a national institution that works with partners at all levels and provides support to all relevant aspects of the environment in Namibia, to achieve sustainable development.

4.4 Windhoek nurses’ home a health hazard Confidénte|04/04/2019

The nurses' home at the Katutura State Hospital is resembling an unhygienic slum tenement, hardly fit for occupation. The Namibian visited the nurse's home yesterday to see if the Health Ministry's New Year's resolutions much-needed maintenance work there, but all hopes were dashed by a horrible stench that hits you even before you enter the building. According to a resident, the smell is caused by a broken pipe in the basement that has been polluting the entire building since last year. Approached

38 for comment, Superintendent Andreas Kambongi said the leak had been reported to the plumbers at the Katutura Hospital, but still has not been fixed. 'As you can see around here, everything is a mess. From the floors to the ceiling, this place is falling apart,'he said. A tour of the eight-storey building led to more gruesome discoveries ranging from dirty bathrooms to leaking taps, blocked basins and toilets and broken elevators. Kambongi said part of the blame falls on the nurses who live there. 'We provide the residents with cleaning materials, all they need to do is use them. We also want the Ministry of Works to send a maintenance team here to repair all the broken equipment and infrastructure. This has been our appeal for the past two years now and still we wait. It's a new year and things need to change. 'The home only has two cleaners assigned to the eight floors. The building is a health hazard to visitors and residents alike. The water leak in the basement is close to a power generator which could result in somebody being electrocuted. Using faulty elevators can also result in accidents. 'I really hope that when the ministry sees this story they will come and fix this place and the same goes for the residents, who I hope will see to it that their living quarters are clean, as it is the healthy thing to do. Nurses should know that better than anybody else,' added Kambongi.

4.5 Rundu to create more dumping sites New Era|09/04/2019

The Rundu Town Council is preparing to create additional dumping sites at the town in order to promote cleanliness, Acting Chief Executive Officer Sikongo Haihambo has said. The existing dumpsite is located approximately two kilometres outside Rundu, leading to residents creating several spots in town where they dump their unwanted waste and rubble. This has contributed to the town’s moniker as Namibia’s garbage town. Haihambo told NAMPA in an interview on Sunday the town council also saw the need for more dumping sites as the population of the town is growing at an astronomical rate. He highlighted that besides the main existing dumpsite, the first new one will be set up along the Cuma road on the Trans-Caprivi Highway. “This dumping site will be on the west side of the road because of the wind direction patterns. You do not want the wind to blow towards the residential areas as our winds are normally south-westerly,” he noted. The second dumpsite to cater for residents of Ndama and Tuhingireni will also be along the Cuma road, near the oxidation pond, and will serve as a transfer facility for all garbage to the bigger dumping site. Ndama has the most residents of all Rundu suburbs. A third dumping site will also serve as a transfer facility due to the fact that it will be situated between residential areas Kaisosi and Kehemu. “Our thinking with the third dumping site has been to put it in the proximity of residential areas in order to make it much more convenient,” Haihambo said. He pointed out that the existing main dumping site is most convenient for Sauyemwa and Kasote residents but not for people living in the centre of town or in the Kehemu or Tuhingireni settlements. The acting CEO said the town council is now busy with the clearing of the first site.

4.6 Northern business people want sand mining ban lifted The Namibian|12/04/2019

A month after the ministry of environment put a lid on two sand pits, illegal sand miners are already suffering withdrawal symptoms. Illegal sand miners in the north have demanded that the environment ministry reopens the closed-off pits, or provide them with alternative ones to use. In their petition submitted to the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) northern branch chairperson Tomas Koneka Iindji this week, the business people said they are not happy with the suspension of the sand clearance certificate of Iiheke yaNakale and Onanime borrow pits by the environment minister last month. Indjii has confirmed receipt of the petition to The Namibian, which is signed by over 60 business people. The environment ministry's spokesperson, Romeo Muyunda, yesterday told The Namibian that environment minister Pohamba Shifeta received the petition, and will be addressing the business people today at the Ongwediva Trade Fair Centre. For the business people, illegal sand mining is a lucrative business, with construction companies and individuals making millions of dollars from selling sand that they mine without permission. But for the communities in which they operate,

39 it has turned into their worst nightmare. Others see it as a form of economic growth. “We are demanding the opening of these two pits with immediate effect. Contractors are affected, as they were busy with the construction of mass housing in the northern regions. This has come to a standstill,” the petition reads. The group further claims that there are foreigners who are also awarded tenders for the construction of houses and roads, but their private pits are not suspended. “The suspension of the two pits by the environment minister delays the developments and progress of the affected northern towns, Oshakati, Ongwediva, Ondangwa and Oshikuku,” the group argues, adding that this move has affected about 1 500 workers who had lost their jobs. “The government must always provide alternatives whenever the government awards tenders to the contractors. We are tired to be called [sic] illegal sand miners, because we are just supplying sand to the main contractors busy with the construction of mass houses”. The Environmental Management Act of 2007 states that a person cannot undertake the activity of sand mining without obtaining an Environmental Clearance Certificate, which is issued after an environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). For a clearance certificate to be issued, the majority of the affected community members must not object to it. Since last year, The Namibian has visited various areas where sand mining is taking place. Most of the people engaging in this activity do not have an Environmental Clearance Certificate. Some have gone as far as mining into graves for sand, while others had their homesteads swallowed by sandpits, and had to be relocated.

4.7 Glove shortage a toothache for Katutura hospital New Era|12/04/2019

A number of patients requiring dental treatment at the Katutura State Hospital were turned away this week due to a shortage of gloves at the equipment-strapped public health facility. Able-bodied dental patients claim they were turned away because the available gloves were reserved for ‘priority patients’ namely, pensioners, children, mentally or physically challenged and ward patients, until such a time that glove stocks are replenished. The hospital’s management confirmed the glove predicament and has since indicated that the situation has returned to normalcy. When New Era visited the hospital yesterday, a large number of patients in need of dental treatment were found complaining and blasting the health ministry for the predicament. Two patients who preferred to remain anonymous said they visited the hospital last week and were turned away. When they returned to hospital yesterday, they were turned away again. “I was told to leave because there are no gloves in the hospital and I am really in pain. Why are Namibian citizens not given the right to health care? Just because of gloves I am told that I won’t be treated as if I didn’t pay for my treatment,” the unhappy patient complained. Another patient, Natasha Tjipura, accused health care providers at public health centers of mistreating patients “because nobody will be held accountable for it unlike at private hospitals where there are repercussions”. Tjipura said she was told to go to Khomasdal or Okuryangava Clinic for treatment, however she was sent back to Katutura State Hospital because the dentist at the clinic was not available. As New Era was interviewing some of the patients, some nurses attended to some of the patients. Patient Tuyeni Kandume was relieved for being assisted after two days of trying. She believes she was only treated because she threatened to take unspecified action. The hospital’s Customer Care Officer Josia Ihuhua confirmed that there has been a shortage of gloves in the hospital for the past two days, which forced them to prioritise certain patients based on their health status. Ihuhua denied claims that patients were sent back last week due to the lack of gloves, saying the shortage only occurred this week. He said enough gloves have now been acquired. “We didn’t chase patients away, we simply told them to get help at nearby clinics until we have enough gloves to assist every patient,” he told New Era.

4.8 Hepatitis still raging on Namibian Sun|15/04/2019

The hepatitis E outbreak in Namibia which has raged on for a year and a half, claimed another life bringing the total number of deaths to 42 while continuing to infect dozens of Namibians each week.

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The most recent available data for the period 11 to 24 March show that during that period a total of 108 new hepatitis E cases were reported. This is a “slight decline, when compared to 157 cases reported during the previous two weeks”. The hepatitis E report warns that “although a remarkable decline has been noted during the last few weeks, the outbreak continues to be protracted, and most of the cases are still being detected in areas where water and toilet facilities are limited.” The report lists a key challenge to contain the outbreak is the “sub-optimal coordination of the outbreak response at all levels”. Moreover, “inadequate” interventions related to health and hygiene actions and awareness, as well as “inadequate risk communication strategies” are highlighted as key issues. The report also notes that due to the “current economic downturn” in Namibia, the ministry has not had sufficient epidemiologists and other relevant staff on board to support the surveillance and data management to tackle the drawn-out outbreak. Speaking at the commemoration of World Health Day last week, health minister Kalumbi Shangula said the outbreak “is a serious public health threat and it must be treated as such. There are only three countries in the world where the disease is found.” The 1 to 7 April weekly bulletin on outbreaks and other emergencies issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO), listed the three countries as South Sudan, the Central African Republic and Namibia. Namibia's current outbreak has endured the longest and, according to the data made available to WHO, has killed significantly more people. To date, one death was reported in both Central African Republic and South Sudan, compared to the 42 deaths in Namibia. This is based on available data accessed by the WHO. “It is a shame that Namibia finds herself in this league of countries,” the minister said last week.

UNSTOPPABLE

Most of the new cases over the two weeks up to 24 March were detected in the Khomas Region (48), followed by 28 new cases in Erongo, nine in Kavango and six in the Omaheke Region, with the remainder spread out in other regions. The latest reported death was a Swakopmund woman, who was either pregnant or had recently delivered a baby, who died on 17 March. As of 24 March, 18 Namibian women who were pregnant or had only recently given birth have died from hepatitis E. A cumulative total of 4 913 hepatitis E cases have been reported, of which 824 are laboratory confirmed, 3 421 epi-linked and 668 suspected or probable cases. The poorest residential neighbourhoods remain most impacted, especially in the Khomas Region, where 30 persons have died from hepatitis and more than 3 300 persons have been infected, totalling 67.2% of the total infections. The Erongo Region, where the DRC informal settlement is also struggling to provide access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene, is ranked after Khomas with 1 086 (22.1% of total cases) reported. Males accounted for 60% of the infected, and the majority of cases are recorded among those in the age group 20 to 39.Shangula last week stressed the ministry recently re-launched the national campaign to combat hepatitis E under the tag-name 'Operation Sanitiser'. The campaign was prompted by an assessment carried out by the WHO in several impacted regions, which identified major gaps in the response authorities have demonstrated to bring the outbreak under control. Priority interventions identified include intensifying the outbreak response through effective coordination and the use of “available” human and financial resources. Another key intervention is a “massive scaling up of hygiene and sanitation promotion campaigns”.

4.9 Meer as 20 jagluiperds al in Erindi vrygelaat Republikein|18/04/2019

Sedert 2000 werk die Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) en die private Erindi-wildreservaat saam om jagluipers van oraloor Namibië te help met meer as 20 van die vinnigste katte wat al in Erindi vrygelaat is. CCF wat buite Otjiwarongo geleë is, het op 25 Februarie weer vier volwasse jagluiperdwyfies in Erindi vrygelaat. Die vier wyfies, Susan, Tatjana, Georgia en Daenerys is susters en is in 2016 gered toe hul ma dood is toe hulle net vyf maande oud was. Hul broers, Elwood, Kamin en Cyclone, is ook vroeër vanjaar op Erindi vrygelaat, volgens CCF. Die vrylatingspan het die wyfies uit hul aahoudingsboma in

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Erindi uitgelok en toe hulle eers uit is, het die span hulle met hul eerste ete voorsien. “Ons doen dit altyd om te verseker dat die jagluiperds daarop fokus om waaksaam te wees en eers die reservaat tydens hul eerste dae van vryheid te ontdek,” sê CCF. In hul eerste dae ná hul vrylating was Eli Walker van CCF op die toneel om hulle te monitor. “Hulle het eers in die omgewing van die boma gebly, maar later Erindi begin ontdek

4.10 Turning plastic waste into building materials The Namibian|24/04/2019

A group of people at Swakopmund's Democratic Resettlement Community settlement are turning plastic waste, including bottles, into building material for their shelter. The group of about 300 people, including children who benefit from the soup kitchen there and people who exhibit their craft, have been gathering at the Dantago Arts and Craft centre in the Democratic Resettlement Community (DRC) residential area with recycled cooldrink bottles to build a proper structure, consisting of an art and craft selling room, workshop, restaurant and sleeping rooms. The group has already completed a part of the structure which has become a tourist attraction to both tourists and the local community. Walking through the area, one can see a group of children filling bottles with sand, collecting bottles and carrying some to the centre, where the older members of the centre secure them with cement to form walls. The construction of the centre with bottles started in 2016 with a trial toilet and was the brainchild of the owner, Katrina Garises. It was constructed by her son Reinhard Gariseb and his friends. “This is an affordable way to build a structure that can withstand the wind, cold and especially save lives in cases of fire. The sand helps to put out the fires, and save us from a lot of trouble. “It only needs cement and bottles. It also keeps the area clean as we pick up the bottles that are lying around,” said Gariseb. The group of people have so far helped to complete one side of the centre where arts and craft materials are kept. It will take a lot of bottles to finish the entire place, and the centre relies on some companies and members of the community who usually bring bottles. The group hopes that more people can visit the place and see how attractive it is and bring even more bottles, to complement its function as an art centre. The centre also serves as a soup kitchen, feeding about 200 children from the area in the mornings and the afternoon, while teaching them arts and crafts after school. Women can also be found during the day, making art products that are sold to tourists who are visiting the settlement. The centre also serves as a counselling and religion centre, with art and business workshops and lessons led by Garises. “I am in the tourism business here at Swakopmund and need to help uplift the living standards of the people in the area. “They have a lot of talent and need guidance, so I try my best to help them through the tourism industry and also morally. We cannot wait for the art centre to be completed. We are all working on it,” she said. Garises appealed to the public to donate cement and food for about 200 children between the ages of three and 18, who depend on the centre for their only daily meal.

4.11 Uproar over faeces being used as manure New Era|24/04/2019

The business community of Omuthiya operating in the town’s sandwiched informal area is irked by actions of a Chinese businessman, Zhou Jianbin, who stands accused of using human faeces as manure for his backyard garden. The community claims this has been happening for a very long time despite having already informed Zhou to stop this practice. He operates a retail store at Ondado Iwa, where he had set up a garden. The human faeces Zhou is using is his own – he uses open bucket containers to relieve himself whenever nature calls, although there is a pit latrine. When this reporter visited the shop, there was a half-full 20-litre container of urine and faeces being kept near the pit latrine. Zhou did also not shy way from showing this reporter another container he uses. The odour from the container was so strong that one had to cover one’s nose with a cloth. Business associates who are in close proximity described the situation as unbearable as the strong odour infiltrates the atmosphere. “I normally dispose of this waste in the open air, I do not use it for the plants, No!” he said, partly

42 blaming the locals for the bad smell, saying, “Look around, everyone is urinating anywhere, so you cannot say it’s only my things that is stinking.” This version was however disputed by his female employee who said “he is just trying to cover himself.” Meanwhile, community activist Moses Amukoto who spoke on behalf of the society blamed the town council for Zhou’s prolonged actions. “I have brought up this matter long before and today to the town council’s attention but nothing has been happening. To be honest, when this guy starts watering the plants with such mix, the whole atmosphere becomes infiltrated to such an extent that one cannot even try to eat something in the open. I blame this on town council,” said Amukoto rhetorically. In contrast, the town council’s manager of technical services, planning and environment, Simon Nghuulondo, said the unfolding situation was new to him and to the entire council, but promised to launch an investigation. “This is new to us. We will convene a meeting with the colleagues to see what can be done. However, the area in which he operates is not yet formalised pending the installation of sewerage services, hence all those operating there have been allowed to use the pit latrine in the absence of such,” said Nghuulondo, adding that it is one of the prerequisites for one to get a good standing certificate. Asked what measures can be taken, Nghuulondo said the council can suspend the good standing certificate which will lead to business closure. “I do not know why he is doing that, and thank you for informing us. Such action will be taken if he does not comply,” he reaffirmed.

4.12 Omuthiya vendors choke under own rubbish New Era|25/04/2019

Traders operating at the renowned one-way-stop Omatala along the Omuthiya main road has expressed concern over prevailing unhygienic conditions they operate in. They described the conditions as not suitable or conducive for business as it discourages prospective customers. They however put the blame among themselves, saying some of the vendors operate without consideration to others and that they are careless and insensitive. Thus, the vendors appealed the town council intervene and enforce law and order. Meanwhile council remains toothless to act due to the absence of municipal by-laws which are still in the process of being gazetted, but do collect refuse three times a week. The open market which is relatively abandoned by the tenants, who have resorted to sell outside designated places for ease of trade, is cluttered with rubbish and pile of plastics all over. A smelly skip container placed adjacent to the cooking site within the market, that traders say is a source of a strong unpleasant odour has further compounded matters. “We have tried advising and talking to our fellows but they do not care. What can we do? We cannot chase them and do not have the right to do so,” complained a kapana vendor, Nangula Titus who for years have been vocal on the issue. In addition, Rosalia Shihepo also a kapana trader, appealed to the town council to shift the skip bin to another location and collect refuse before business hours. In response, town council’s local economic development officer David Israel said council recently procured new skip bins thus they might consider installing another, pending the review process. “We will look into the matter and something will be done as soon as possible. We are aware of the issues congestion and improper modus operandi at the open market, and soon council will start with phase one of the construction of a new mega open market, that we believe will resolve the prevailing issues,” stated Israel in an interview. In addition, he said, the municipal by-laws pending gazetting will be put into effect as soon as the process has been completed. “Council purchased the materials needed, and also included in phase one will be ablution facilities and stalls. Once this is done, they can start moving to the new designated area. Fees will only be implemented upon the final completion of the project,” reiterated Isra.

4.13 PektraNam’s environmental report out Namibian Sun|30/04/2019

Pektranam Logistics, one of the South African companies intending to trans-ship manganese ore via Lüderitz harbour, has called for comments on its environmental impact assessment report. Consultants for Petranam, Geo Pollution Technologies, said all written comments submitted by 10 May would be

43 included in the final submission to be made to the environment ministry. A resident who has done a cursory reading of the 164-page document, Crispin Clay of the Lüderitz Foundation, said the report is a “brilliant” piece of work. “They have done their homework; that is what we expect from TradePort [the other South African company intending to trans-ship manganese],” Clay said yesterday. Nevertheless, Clay still has reservations about the entire operation: “Why should Lüderitz be a conduit, a pipeline for raw stuff from South Africa? What will the carbon footprint of this be?” Lüderitz residents were up in arms when TradePort Namibia arrived at the coastal town in late December to offload manganese ore without proper documentation. TradePort had to remove the manganese ore from the open concrete slab where it had first dropped it. It has since stored it at NamPort's warehouse facilities at the harbour. Residents expressed concern over the anticipated huge influx of traffic and possible toxic pollution. They petitioned for an immediate moratorium on all movement of manganese ore to and from Lüderitz harbour until sufficient environmental research had been done. The environment ministry issued TradePort an environmental clearance certificate (ECC) for the “importing and exporting of manganese ore and other commodities” on 7 February.

PEKTRANAM'S REPORT

Pektranam plans to transport, handle and temporarily bulk-store 30 000 tonnes of manganese ore per month at an abandoned storage yard of the Roads Construction Company (RCC). The manganese is mined in the Kalahari Manganese Field in the Northern Cape and is currently exported through South Africa's Port Elizabeth and Saldanha Bay harbours. Pektranam wants to switch to the port of Lüderitz because of problems with road transport to the two congested harbours in South Africa. After public consultations with Lüderitz residents Pektranam said it became clear that it had to change its transport methods to reduce environmental damage and adverse impacts on the town's tourism and historic buildings. It has been calculated that it would take 833 truckloads per month to transport the 30 000 tonnes of ore to the storage yard. From there, Petranam intends to use 12 trucks with air suspension instead of conventional suspension to move the ore to the harbour. The aim is to reduce the volume of traffic and the noise the trucks would generate. It would take three full days to load the ore onto a ship. Pektranam says it plans to use bags or skips which would be lifted by crane into the ship's cargo hold. It says about 12 people would be directly employed if the operation is approved

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