WHEN President Hage Geingob assumed presidency last year, one of his prime fundamental ideologies after the explicit war on poverty was to have a transparent reign and administration, having nothing to hide and investing in wide consultation if need be.
This same principle was coined on the premise that democratically elected governments are accountable to voters and their processes are open to public scrutiny and at same time privatization shuts the public out of decision-making that deeply affects the public interest.
The later appointment of an A-team indicated that Geingob was a man who walked who took the highest office knowing that he could not walk the talk alone but would consult and seek guidance where need be in a bid to take Namibia to a place of prosperity in quest of realising the Fourth National development Plan and more recently the Harambee prosperity Plan for all.
In essence, the initiative to invite world-renowned economist, Nobel laureate and lecturer in economics at Columbia University in New York Professor Joseph Stiglitz to develop leadership capacity at a national level cannot go unnoticed and should be applauded as a first for Namibia and a bright resourceful move that gives the nation hope for a bright future.
What is imperative to understand is that without effective leadership, meaningful and sustained development is not possible. That is why at the inception of the new Government last year, Geingob held an introductory leadership seminar under the excellent leadership of Dr. Carlos Lopes, who is was also in the country this past week. The outcome of that seminar subsequently informed the declaration of intents and the performance agreements by all Ministers as well as aspects of the Harambee Prosperity Plan.
It is through this concentration of intellectual knowledge and capacity, as well as leadership experience that Namibia can realize tangible results in some of its key outcomes that it would like to achieve under the Harambee Prosperity Plan. These include: the nations resolve to eradicate poverty in all its forms; the commitment to growing the economy in a sustained an inclusive manner; and the commitment to steering Namibia towards a future of shared prosperity, characterized by equitable income distribution and fair economic participation for all citizens.
In this light, we must not forget that based on academic citations, Stiglitz is the 3rd most influential economist in the world today, and in 2011 he was named by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
In addition to making numerous influential contributions to microeconomics, Stiglitz has played a number of policy roles. He served in the Clinton administration as the chair of the President’s Council of Economic Advisors (1995 – 1997). At the World Bank, he served as senior vice-president and chief economist (1997–2000), in the time when unprecedented protest against international economic organizations started, most prominently with the Seattle WTO meeting of 1999. He was a lead author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007.
Whilst previous leaders have done well in consolidating peace and unity, having a man of this calibre on Namibian soil clearly shows Geingob’s intent on achieving his goal and his ambition towards a prosperous Namibia.

HAGE Geingob received his Ph.D. from the University of Leeds. His thesis was entitled “State Formation in Namibia: Promoting Democracy and Good Governance”. In his thesis, he examined significant events in the process of state formation in Namibia and provided an insight into the role played by various actors involved in shaping the evolution of Namibia as a state. He also examined the efforts of Namibians to build a reconciled society out of ethnically and racially stratified, diverse and often antagonistic groups, to promote democracy and a policy of reconciliation, to improve the life condition of the previously disadvantaged groups through affirmative action, to encourage good governance, to promote a culture of human rights, and to build state institutions to support these policies. Finally, he carried out a democratic audit of Namibia. As the Director of the Institute for Namibia and as the Chairman of the Research Coordinating Committee, Hage Geingob oversaw all research activities at the United Nations Institute for Namibia. The result of this effort resulted in 22 published research studies. He was also the Chairman of the most comprehensive study ever undertaken on Namibia, viz., Namibia: Perspectives for National Reconstruction and Development, which was undertaken by the United Nations Institute for Namibia in pursuance of the mandate given to it by the United Nations General Assembly. This study covered all aspects of socio-economic reconstruction and development for independent Namibia. This study came to be known as the “Blue Bible”, referring to the colour of its cover, among the researchers and planners of Namibia. Indeed, this study provided the blueprint for setting up the new government in independent Namibia. In addition, Hage Geingob has contributed numerous articles to various publications, including monographs, periodicals and newspapers. He has travelled extensively covering all the continents and has attended, chaired, and presented papers at numerous UN and other international conferences. He also regularly attended the General Assembly sessions from 1965–85.

By Confidente Reporter
OVER the last few years Africa has become less prosperous, extensively due to negative impact of the financial crisis in emerging markets but Namibia’s high ranking in the delivery of prosperity – 4th in Africa according to the Legatum prosperity index – is a clear indication that the current administration been laying the right foundations for a Prosperous Namibia.
Over the past 18 months, in the period marked Dr Hage Geingob assuming Presidency, Namibia has showed great progress when it was measured against a broad set of indicators that tell us not only how the nation has performed economically but in vital areas of education, health, freedom, opportunity, social capital, and more.
The Prosperity Index which covers 142 countries in the world, accounting for 96 per cent of the world’s population and 99 per cent of global GDP making it the most comprehensive tool of its kind, has told Namibia’s human progress goes beyond economics. In line with the Harambee Prosperity Plan for all, it shows us that for nations to flourish they must provide opportunity and freedom to their citizens. It shows how access to quality healthcare and education provides the foundations on which nations can grow. It proves that effective and transparent government empowers citizens to take control of their lives, and it shows that protection from violence and oppression, as well as strong social bonds, are crucial to a thriving society.
We may recall that in the progress of the current administration and within its implementation roadmap, the emerging concepts and philosophies have been coined around ensuring that processes are inclusive and transparent. This also pertains to processes that will instil confidence in national democracy, and that will minimize the risks of rumour mongering and conspiracy theories.
As policymakers and researchers such as the Legatum Institute focus increasing attention on the importance of government transparency for accountability and good governance more generally, the demand for greater conceptual clarity and authoritative measures of government transparency increases. The Geingob administration has shown that it advocates maintaining greater access to government information as the sine qua non of greater accountability and better quality of government in the long term.
Indeed all of this emphasises that prosperity is truly multi-dimensional remains the cornerstone of how prosperity will further be achieved by Namibia but to secure a better nation we need to look beyond GDP. We need to recognise that freedom of choice and democracy are the building blocks of prosperous societies. We need to recognise that health lays the foundation for human flourishing. We need to understand that education is a cornerstone of individual wellbeing as well as economic growth. And we need to prioritise opportunity and social capital, without which societies cannot prosper. Conclusively, it is imperative that we take the findings of this report and reflect on the state of the fundamental cornerstones of prosperity. Our ranking shows that slower-growth need not spell the end of rising prosperity in Namibia, but rather demonstrates practical ways in which government can deliver greater prosperity with the wealth they the country has.

HAGE Gottfried Geingob (born 3 August 1941 is the third and the current President of Namibia, in office since 21 March 2015. Geingob was the first Prime Minister of Namibia from 21 March 1990 until 28 August 2002, and he served as Prime Minister again from 4 December 2012 to 21 March 2015. Since 2007, he has been vice president of the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO), Namibia’s ruling party, and he was Minister of Trade and Industry from 2008 to 2012.
As the Presidency in Namibia is restricted to two terms, President Hifikepunye Pohamba was due to step down in 2015, and Geingob, as SWAPO vice president, took his place as SWAPO’s presidential candidate. In November 2014, Geingob was elected as President of Namibia by an overwhelming margin.
Early life
Geingob was born in Otjiwarongo, South- West Africa (present-day Namibia), in 1941. He received his early education at Otavi in South-West Africa under the Bantu Education System. He joined the Augustineum, where most of today’s prominent political leaders of Namibia were educated, in 1958. In 1960, he was expelled from Augustineum for having participated in a march to protest the poor quality of education. He was, however, re-admitted and was able to finish the teacher-training course in 1961. Subsequently, he took up a teaching position at the Tsumeb Primary School in Central Namibia but soon discovered that his thirst for knowledge was unlikely to be quenched in Namibia. As a teacher, he also hated being an unwilling instrument in perpetuating the Bantu Education System.
Therefore, at the end of the school year, he left his job to seek knowledge and instruction that could help him change the system. Together with three of his colleagues, he walked and hitchhiked to Botswana to escape the system. From Botswana, he was scheduled to go to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on a plane chartered by the African National Congress (ANC). However, this plane was blown up by the South Africans when it was still on the ground because the time bomb went off prematurely. Subsequently, the apartheid regime also tightened up the “underground railway”. As a result, Hage Geingob stayed on in Botswana where he served as Assistant South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) Representative in Botswana (1963–64).
Personal life
In 1967 Geingob married Priscilla Charlene Cash a New York City native, the couple had one daughter Nangula Geingos-Dukes. Geingob later married Loini Kandume, a businesswoman, on September 11, 1993, in Windhoek. This was a high-profile marriage and resulted in two children, a daughter Dângos Geingos and a son Hage Geingob Jr. Geingob initiated divorce proceedings against Kandume in May 2006, and he was granted a provisional divorce order in July 2008. Geingob married Monica Kalondo on February 14, 2015. Hage Geingob Rugby Stadium in Windhoek is named after him.

By Hilary Mare
PRESIDENT Hage Geingob delivered his first State of the Nation exactly one month after his inauguration as Namibia’s third president many months ago and his first rallying cry was an outright declaration of war on poverty.
Acknowledging that the poverty levels are still too high, Geingob made it clear that government’s priority would be to tackle poverty from all levels.
“Twenty-five years after independence, we have made significant progress in the fight against poverty. Official statistics shows that the poverty rate declined significantly from 69.3 percent in 1994 to 28.7 percent in 2010. This means that the poverty rate halved during that period. This is unprecedented progress, as globally only a handful of countries have been able to halve poverty over such a short period of time. In absolute terms, more than four hundred thousand Namibians were lifted out of poverty during that period. The introduction of targeted social safety nets, including old age pensions and social grants for people living with disabilities as well as for orphans and vulnerable children have played a significant role in reducing poverty levels in Namibia.
“These statistics are testament to the work done in alleviating poverty but the cold facts are that poverty, even at 28.9% is still too high. Poverty at 10% would still be too high. If we were to halve that to 5%, it would still be too high. The war on poverty is focused on eventual eradication so we will not hide behind statics as our focus is on sustained poverty reduction measures.
“Research carried out by our National Statistics Agency shows that the old age pension has played a major role in the prevention of childhood poverty. In the absence of an old age pension, the childhood poverty rate would have been ten percent higher than the current figure. That is why one of the first priorities was to increase the old age pension by 66.7 percent from N$600 per month, to N$1,000 per month, starting this Financial Year. Further increases will be effected so that old age pension grants reach N$1,200 by 2017. This has already been factored into the national budget.
“The war against poverty and the quest for economic emancipation must be a multifaceted war which we will fight on many fronts, using a myriad of methods at our disposal. Some of these measures are outlined below. The first step in the fight against poverty is the recognition that all Namibians deserve a dignified life. A dignified life includes decent employment and decent shelter. This will require the input of Government as well as all employers. Government has and will continue to formulate a legal framework focused on reducing the income gap. What is also required is a mental framework where Namibian employers empathize with and remunerate their employees appropriately. What is required is that all Namibians treat each other with dignity and respect and that all Namibians play their role in uplifting their fellow human being. This sharing mindset in individuals will go a long way in making sure no Namibian is left behind.
“In the Namibian House, no child should go hungry. I am committed to the introduction of a Food Bank. The willingness of several farmers to get involved in this initiative on a voluntary basis is indicative of how Namibians recognize that we will only eradicate poverty if we work together. “The Ministry of Poverty Eradication is tasked to co-ordinate all aspects hereto and harness the political will of government and the goodwill of Namibians as a tool in the eradication of poverty. There is a saying that says, “Love only grows by sharing. You can only have more for yourself by giving it away to others.” Let us adopt the virtues of sharing in our Namibian House. Let us allow the spirit of Harambee to manifest itself for the good of all Namibians. We must succeed as One Namibia, one Nation. “Many of the residents of the Namibian House are poor because they don’t have a neither job nor access to proper education or marketable skills. We will, therefore, tackle poverty from all fronts, through safety nets, access to quality education, and by creating jobs and growing the economy. This is why Ministry of Labour has been renamed to the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Job Creation. This renewed focus must ensure that we target one of the root causes of poverty which is unemployment.
“The good thing is that our people are not lazy. Our people want to work. Our people will excel when given the opportunity. I would like to acknowledge the role of entrepreneurs whose enterprises create employment opportunities for other. Their efforts must be acknowledged and supported through our development finance institutions such as the Development Bank of Namibia, the SME Bank and the procurement muscle of the State. Political self- determination is meaningless without economic self- determination. “A House in which the few are affluent while the rest are poor is not a healthy house. During the past twenty-five years, considerable progress was made in reducing income disparities in Namibia. This was through a mix of pro poor, pro-growth interventions and redistributive policies targeted at the poorest of the poor. The Gini- Coefficient that measures income disparity declined from 0.70 in 1994 to 0.58 in 2010.
“Admittedly, one would have liked to see a sharper reduction in the levels of inequality, but what is most important is the fact that we are moving in the right direction. It also shows that it is possible to grow the economic cake.
“Due to the structural nature of wealth accumulation, the average Namibian was dispossessed and does not possess much wealth in terms of homes or shareholding. The only way out of this conundrum is to introduce a targeted approach to unpack and reverse the existing structural imbalances. In this regard, I want to appeal to the business community to introduce new co-ownership practices in which workers are able to own shares in the companies they dedicate their labour. This will help them to feel part of the business while at the same time also assist them to begin creating real and long term wealth. These are the principles included in the draft policy framework on Broad- Based Economic Empowerment. The finalization of this policy is overdue and it is time to re-imitate the consultation process on this long outstanding policy framework.
“Education remains the greatest equalizer. Nationally, our literacy rate has increased from less than 75 percent at independence to approximately 90 percent, according to the latest Census count of 2011. In some Regions such as Khomas and Erongo, the literacy rate is virtually 100 percent.
“We removed school fees in 2012 which made education free at primary school level. This led to a significant increase in enrolment rates at pre-primary and primary school levels. “This year, we are going to introduce free secondary school education, which will enable thousands of young Namibians to have a better shot at a brighter future. This will immediately arrest the high youth unemployment rate.
“At the moment, large subsidies to our local tertiary education institutions translate into the State covering up to 80% of university costs. Therefore, the fees payable by Namibian university students are significantly reduced by Government subsidies and make it tantamount to free tertiary education. This, as well as increased funding of scholarships through the Namibia Student Financial Assistance Fund has significantly expanded access to affordable tertiary education,” declared the President.

South Africa Premier Soccer League (PSL) giants Orlando Pirates and rival Mamelodi Sundowns are expected to jet down at the Hosea Kutako International Airport on Friday for an anticipated battle of the giants in the Dr Hage Geingob Super Cup this weekend.

The PSL Buccaneers face a titanic clash against archrival Sundowns who are the Dr Hage Geingob Cup defending champions.

Mamelodi Sundowns, who are also the PSL defending champions, are reportedly fielding a B-Team for the Geingob Cup.

Sundowns has for the past few weeks campaign in the CAF Champions League showdown against some of Africa’s best football clubs.

The match is scheduled for Saturday at the Independence Stadium at 16H00.

MTC Premiership champion, Tigers FC will lock horns against township foe African Stars at 14H00, of which the winner take on the victor between the two South African outfits in the final billed for Sunday at the same venue.

The third play-offs is scheduled for Sunday.

According to KickOff.com Downs coach Pitso Mosimane has confirmed he will unleash marquee signing Sibusiso Vilakasi against the Sea Robbers in serach of a third straight triumph at the annual competition.

President Jacob Zuma’s bold prediction that he would soon be living in an ANC-run municipality has fallen flat.

Results issued by the Electoral Commission at 2pm Thursday show that the Inkatha Freedom Party has comprehensively won the municipality‚ obtaining 54% of the vote.

Zuma’s African National Congress obtained 44.25%.

After the 2011 local government election‚ Nkandla was run by a coalition of the National Freedom Party (NFP) and ANC. However‚ within two years of the vote‚ the IFP gained outright control after by-elections.

Shortly after voting on Wednesday at the Ntolwane Primary School‚ just a few kilometres from his homestead‚ a jovial Zuma expressed confidence that he would wake up in an ANC-controlled municipality. Zuma’s Ward 14 was won by the ANC in 2011.

“I will wake up in the municipality of the ANC. That’s what we’ve been working for. I’m satisfied and I voted correctly [for the ANC]‚” said Zuma.

www.timeslive.co.za/

Political Correspondent

With 95 percent of votes counted Friday in municipal elections, South Africa’s ruling party appears to be headed for its biggest electoral blow since it won power at the end of apartheid 22 years ago.

The results remained too close to call in the country’s largest city, Johannesburg, and the Tshwane metropolitan area around the capital, Pretoria. The opposition Democratic Alliance was challenging the African National Congress in both municipalities. Neither party appeared to be winning a majority in those two cities that would allow it to govern alone, raising the possibility of coalition governments.

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa told reporters it was too early to analyze the election results, saying it would be like reading “somebody’s tombstone before they die.”

The ANC lost a key municipality named after its star, Nelson Mandela Bay, to the Democratic Alliance. The DA already runs the city of Cape Town, the only major South African city where blacks are not in the majority, and has been pushing hard to win supporters in other regions.

The ANC, formerly the main anti-apartheid movement, has lost some support from people who say their hopes for economic opportunities have not been fulfilled since the end of white minority rule. The South African economy has stagnated since the global financial crisis in 2008.

Ramaphosa acknowledged some criticisms of the ruling party: “They think that we are arrogant, they think that we are self-centered, they think that we are self-serving, and I’d like to dispute all of that and say we are a listening organization.”

In a statement , the ANC said that “we will reflect and introspect where our support has dropped.” The party so far has received 54 percent of votes across the country, with the Democratic Alliance getting 26 percent.

Scandals swirling around President Jacob Zuma have also hurt the ANC. Opposition groups have seized on a scandal over state upgrades to Zuma’s private home. The Constitutional Court recently said Zuma violated the constitution, and it instructed the president to reimburse the state for $507,000.

Many South Africans are also concerned over allegations that Zuma is heavily influenced by the Guptas, a wealthy business family of immigrants from India. The president has denied any wrongdoing.

A more radical opposition party, the Economic Freedom Fighters, contested the local elections for the first time. The party, which advocates the nationalization of industry and other measures it says will help the poor, has garnered almost eight percent of the vote nationwide.

South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns retained the Hage Geingob Cup after beating Tigers 4-2 in an entertaining final match at the Independence Stadium on Sunday evening to take the cup for the third-year running.

According to NFA.com website The two sides produced some reverting football early on and the goal duly came on seven minutes as Anthony Laffour replacement Ntando Ngubane, improvised to hit home a volley from inside the box after Tigers failed to deal with a Teko Modise shot in.

But the MTC Premiership champions Tigers were not to be outdone and produced some magic and deservedly got their equalizer through Llewelyn Stanley who latched onto a great through-ball from captain Absalom Iimbondi, to beat Sundowns keeper Denis Onyango with a fine shot from the edge of the box.

Sundowns then made 10 more changes before the break and substitute Mlompo Kekana scored from a free kick moments later.

Brain Isaacs’ Tigers again dug deep and substitute striker Mapenzi Muwanei who volleyed home on 35 minutes, thanks to yet again some breathtaking play from Iimbondi.

Another Sundowns substitute Tsepo Ntlaba Sundowns found the net to put his side in the lead and it was then put out of Tigers reach later when Leonardo Castro stabbed home a cross just before halftime.

Earlier in the day, in the play-off match for third place African Stars beat South Africa’s Orlando Pirates 8-7 on penalties after a goalless 90 minutes.

There was not much to with home about the encounter with the highlight being the sending off of Pirates’ Thembela Sikhakhane for a second yellow-card booking, while Pirates coach Mushin Ertugral was also red-carded after a verbal altercation with the referee with few minutes left before the end of the game.

The match went into penalties and Stars finally prevailed 8-7 when their keeper Lloyd Kazapua scored and then saved Luvuyo Memela’s second kick of the shoot-out each side kicked 10 penalties.

The two-day pre-season tournament saw 11 goals scored from four matches in celebration of Namibia’s President’s 75th birthday.

The Baby Warriors bravely lost 2-1 in their Confederation of African Football (CAF) 2017 U-17 African Cup of Nations second-round first-leg clash against Congo-Brazzaville at the Independence Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The encounter was preceded by a protest by the Namibians of several Congo Players who were deemed over age as the NFA called on CAF to investigate the players through the much revered MRI scanning system.

According to NFA.com The game gone underway and the visitors opened the score line after only five minutes when the Namibian defense failed to clear a loose ball from the corner kick, Congo captain Bercy Langa-Lesse scoring from close range.

The Baby Warriors rallied back and held their own and created chances to get back into the game but had to wait until 20 minutes to go as Junior Petrus unleashed a dramatic shot from the centre line into the top corner of the Congolese goal.

The game was heading for a draw up until the injury time when Langa-Lesse pounced gain on after the hosts’ defensive frailties.

Overall, Alex Kaongelwa had a long range effort tipped over the bar, and striker Godwin Awaseb was sent off for a foul 20 minutes into the second half. Eldery Morgan came close when he broke into the box but Congo’s defense cleared the cross.

Baby Warriors coach Timo Tjongarero said he was proud of his boys and he is looking forward to the return leg in Congo-Brazzaville.

“We would have done better but the pitch was not the best. The boys did all that was required from them on the day but we were caught out in the last minutes of the game when we lost concentration. But I am happy with the team’s performance,” he said.

The return leg of the Under-17 African Cup of Nations second-round match will be played on 21 August in Congo-Brazzaville at the Alphonse Massemba-Debat Stadium with the winner advancing to the third and final round for Madagascar’s 2017 CAF U/17 AFCON finals.

Namibian boxer Jonas Junius has been arrested in Rio in connection with an attempted sexual assault of an Olympic Village housekeeper, according to Al Jazeera.

According to international media Junius, 22, who was Namibia’s flag-bearer during the opening ceremony was arrested today. Police reportedly said that Junius allegedly tried to force himself on a housekeeper in the athletes’ village.

Junius is the second Olympic boxer to be arrested on allegations of sexual assault. Last week, Moroccan boxer Hassan Saada was arrested after an alleged sexual assault of two housekeepers in the Olympic Village.

The third edition of the Navachab Half Marathon Challenge Run that has been seen as growing in leaps and bounds was officially launched here in the capital.

Event Organizer and Regional Sport Officer, Bethuel Karumendu said this year’s event scheduled for 17 September, in Karibib is expected to attract a huge entry from aspiring runners from across the country.

Speaking at the official launch today, Karumendu said the marathon is an open event for interested persons.

Main sponsor Nachachab Gold Mine has injected for the third consecutive time a cool N$ 45 000 for prize monies while First National Bank (FNB) Namibia Karibib branch injected N$ 5000 while Karibib Town Council humbled themselves with N$ 6 400 towards the event.

Also on board is Namibia Beverages who will dish out soft drinks to participants.

Karumendu said he expect last year’s winners Aline  Armas (women champion) and  Uveni-Nawa Kuugongelwa the men’s defending champions are expected to defend their title on the 17 September.

African Stars are ready for the Saturday’s preliminary round of the 2016 Standard Bank Super Cup and aims to face Namibia Premier League (NPL) Champions Tigers on September 10 at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in the grand finale.

African Stars, fresh from finishing third during the annual Dr. Hage Geingob Cup where they defeated South Africa’s Orlando Pirates 8-7 on penalties on Sunday, are determined to defend the Standard Bank Super Cup which they won last year against Tigers. Stars captain Pat Uanivi states that “Stalile” are ready to face Mighty Gunners before facing either Tura Magic or Black Africa in the day’s final match for a place to play Tigers.

Quoted by NFA.com Uanivi said:“We are ready to go all the way in this cup. For us this cup represents a deal platform to set the tone for the season and we will be ruthless on Saturday. We know the other three clubs are planning the same thing and it won’t be easy but we believe in ourselves enough to emerge victorious on Saturday”, Uanivi says.

He added that the past weekend action in the Dr. Hage Geingob Cup has helped the team a lot and it is now about the next game.

“We have worked very hard on fitness and the coach now knows where we are and going forward it’s all about planning for the next game, game tactics and right players. Playing those two games past weekend has expedited our fitness.”
On the new faces that featured for Stars at the weekend, Uanivi reveals that they are all in the coach Bobby Samaria’s plans for the new season.

“Siemfried Maharero and Alpheus Handura will be out of contracts by September at Tura Magic and might join us and for Ronald Ketjijere, there is a good chance of him staying with us too depending on other things. Panduleni Nekundi is another option and so is Denver Meyers. The players you saw last weekend are all what the coach want for next season and we will see”, Uanivi explains.

The extended 2016 Standard Bank Super Cup will start on Saturday, 13 August with an exciting new format of the preliminary round. Black Africa faces Tura Magic at 11h00 and Defending champions African Stars will take on Mighty Gunners at13h00 at the majestic Sam Nujoma Stadium.

Later on, at 15h00, there will be an exhibition match which will be followed by the final match at 18h00 between the two winners from the day’s action with the winners advancing to face Tigers on 10 September, to contest the 2016 Standard Bank Super Cup.

Tickets for Saturday are selling on Computicket for N$ 20 each. The 2016 Standard Bank Super Cup winners will go home N$ 500 000 richer and the loser will receive N$ 200 000.

By John Tuerijama

THE World Boxing Organisation (WBO), vice chairperson, Semir Captan, has hailed local boxing promoter, Nestor Tobias as the best WBO promoter on the continent.
Tobias said it’s a great pleasure to be recognized internationally. “I must thank you guys from the media for writing about boxing events which get to be noticed by organizations such as the WBO,” said Tobias.
“I will keep on working hard. You know, that is indeed a positive motivation and I will help those kids get somewhere in their lives,” said the renowned boxing promoter.
The WBO vice chairperson for Africa and Asia, has endorsed the MTC Sunshine Promotions and its promoter, Tobias, as the leading Promoter in Africa.
Captan was quoted as having said: “We are very happy with the manner in which the MTC Sunshine Promotions manages their affairs, always professional, and I can confidently say that Tobias and the MTC Nestor Sunshine Promotions are without a doubt the leading promoter in Africa at the moment.”
“I know it is extremely difficult to organise boxing fights as a promoter because it is very expensive and the promoter is responsible for all costs involved. Putting five title fights on one card does not happen often, and not many promoters around the world can achieve what the MTC Sunshine Promotions are achieving, and this is therefore commendable,” said Captan.
“I am extremely humbled by the remarks from the WBO. The MTC Sunshine Academy has worked very closely with the WBO for many years now, and you would recall that the academy was honoured with the Best Promoter in Africa award for three consecutive years. This speaks volumes of the quality and depth we have and we can only thank our main sponsor MTC and the fans for the support we have enjoyed from all stakeholders over the years. Boxing is an expensive sport, but also a very exciting one and we will therefore continue to promote the sport in the interest of the boys and the c ount r y ”, remarked Tobias.

By Faith Haushona-Kavamba

LOOKING back at my childhood, I find it unusual that I was never really exposed to gender roles until I was a teenager interacting with people who were not members of my immediate family.
I grew up in a house where my grandmother raised her children not to subscribe to gender roles. What a woman can do, a man can also do (and vice versa). That included cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, fixing broken appliances or just cleaning the yard.
The same applied in our house, where both my parents would pull their weight to make sure that everything got done. Seeing a male figure, be it my step-father or uncles, preparing a delicious meal was expected, so I found it unusual that there were households where men would not even venture into the kitchen.
Interacting with other people, it started to seem like my household was unusual. People tried to force their stereotypical gender roles onto me and that altered the way I thought about relationships.
At the time, it seemed that we were a special case and I would be forced to subscribe to certain roles mainly based on my sex, if not I would have to live the life of a spinster. I think that in part (coupled with the love of my freedom and not have a member of the opposite sex telling what to do) contributed to my decision to indeed desperately want the life of a spinster.
If it meant that I could do what I want, when I wanted to do it and not be forced into being a follower when I know I was born to be a leader, I would embrace the life of being a single woman.
It also meant that I would not have to put my career on hold while I cater to the needs of another person who saw me as a lesser than I am because of my sex. In hindsight, this is a skewed view of marital relationships but it aided in justifying my decision.
While I now know that our household was not unique, I still have not been able to reconcile myself with the notion of getting married. For me, it still feels like being tied down to the old ball and chain.
There is still that chain you are dragging along that keeps you from moving as fast as you would like in life. Until recently, I thought single people (mainly women) are free while married people are slaves to each other.
However, I recently had a chat with a like-minded individual who made me see things from a different perspective.
She too, put getting married and having children on hold while she lived life to the fullest and pursued her career, and while she does not necessarily regret her decisions, in hindsight she has come to learn that singletons (mainly women) are not as free as they think they are.
Unlike their male counterparts, it is inherent in (most, if not all) women to be nurturers and providers. They will always want to provide regardless of the nature of the relationship and their beliefs.
So this means that even as a singleton you will want to provide for your partner, however without the reciprocal agreement. Whereas married people try to contribute 50/50 to the relationship (or so I am told).
Miss Independent will buy groceries and cook (because she also has to eat), clean and pay rent (because it’s her house and only her name is on the lease), occasionally get an outfit for her partner for events she invites him to (because she has to make a good impression), all the while not expecting anything from him because she is independent, she can do bad all by herself. Perhaps some men feel the same too, especially the ones who like to splurge out on their partners.
Now, I am not going to rush down the aisle anytime soon (if ever at all), but it’s a perspective that shows that being single is really not all it’s cracked up to be. It’s definitely something I will think about the next time I’m about to dog-out a married person.

By Entertainment Reporter

THE Ombetja Yehinga Organisation (OYO) Trust this week announced that it would debut a new dance piece titled The Phantom of Namibia.
OYO aims to create social awareness on various issues, such as HIV/AIDS and GBV, using arts as a tool of communication.
The new dance was choreographed by the Founder and Director of the organisation Dr Philippe Talavera.
“The Phantom of Namibia follows the story of three siblings left alone after the sudden death of their parents. (The dance piece) explores their feelings of loss, loneliness, rejection, hope and disappointment,” Talavera explained in a statement.
Each year the OYO Trust invites young dancers from abroad to come and collaborate with its OYO dance troupe. The Phantom of Namibia was conceived as a result of that collaboration.
“This is a chance to share, learn from one another and create new challenging pieces. This year dancers come from the UK, Canada, the Netherlands and Singapore,” Talavera noted.
Although the dance was choreographed by Talavera, some of its sections were inspired by Eva Lobker from the Netherlands, Jesse McRogers from Canada, Hannah Wood from the UK and Sorcha Young from Singapore.
Talavera explained that it would be performed by an ensemble cast comprising of 12 Namibian dancers and the four international guests.
“Each country has got a ghost in its closest. Namibia’s phantom could be the reality experienced by over half the children born outside of wedlock…Too many children grow up without their biological parents. How does it impact our population? Are we then growing up as balanced, matured young people?” Talavera noted.
The Phantom of Namibia will be premiered on Thursday, August 18 at 19h00 at the Jan Mohr Theatre (Jan Mohr School, Mercury Street). The entrance to the premier is free of charge; however prospective guests are urged to book seats in advance. Bookings can be done through Karolina on 061 254915 or via email at info@ombetja.org

“ISN’T that too short/ revealing?” has to be one of the most common phrases any woman has ever been asked.
The natural response is obviously to ask that person whether or not measures would not have been taken by that individual to cover up, if indeed it made them feel uncomfortable for being too short or revealing.
Still, the question is asked by a society that takes pleasure in victim blaming women based on their standard of propriety when it comes to clothes.
Most people will recall the infamous mini-skirt banning incident of 2013, where the Inspector General of NamPol Sebastian Ndeitunga was quoted in a local paper having allegedly said that any woman found wearing revealing clothes would be arrested. The General of course said he was misquoted but not before there was a widespread public outcry and protests by locals on the matter.
Following the example of those protesters, all fashionistas should take an oath to not subscribe to these arbitrary standards of propriety. Although most traditional attire can be considered revealing, people have double standards saying it’s okay because it’s cultural.
However, the reasons for wearing clothes have not changed, regardless of whether it is made from cow hide or poly-cotton. Current clothing trends have evolved over the centuries to fit the social landscape a certain community at a given time. Whatever ‘revealing’ clothes worn today, are inspired by the traditional attire.
Slut-shaming on the basis of clothing basically implies that the wearer of said garments is doing so to evoke a reaction from other people. However real fashionistas knows that they dress for themselves, in what makes them feel confident, beautiful and comfortable.
Much like paintings and sculptures, fashion is also a form of expression. It is a way of sending a message without using words.
So when is something too short or revealing in the life of a fashionista? Never; one simply has to ask themselves a few pertinent questions. Am I comfortable with what I am wearing? Is it getting my message across? Does this make me feel beautiful?
If your answer to all the questions is yes and it complements your body shape, then it’s not too short or too revealing. The people who try to force their standards of propriety on you are those who feel uncomfortable because it makes them feel a certain way about themselves. It is basically them projecting the feeling of their own insecurities on you because they do not know how to address them.
These are also the very people who try to justify rape culture by saying the victim provoked the perpetrator by wearing certain kinds of clothing. People attach pre-conceived notions to specific kinds of clothing which is why they are quick to judge and put labels on it, like believing only ‘sluts’ wear miniskirts.
Either way, that should not stop you from wearing what you want to wear, as long as you believe it is appropriate for that specific setting and makes you feel like a million dollars. That is the only drive behind clothing choices for a fashionista.

By Faith Haushona-Kavamba

JANE Austen must have been turning in her grave when Seth Grahame-Smith turned one of her best sellers, Pride and Prejudice, into a parody drearily renamed Pride, Prejudice and Zombies.
Grahame-Smith’s book, and movie, proves to be nothing more than a regurgitation of Austen’s work with no creativity and the occasional orphan zombie child in dire need of flesh.
Like the original novel, the movie follows the Bennet sisters, Elizabeth (Lily James), Jane (Bella Heathcote), Kitty (Suki Waterhouse), Lydia (Ellie Bamber), and Mary (Millie Brady), whose mother wants them to find wealthy husbands.
It just so happens that the wealthy Bingley family moves into their community, with Mr. Bingley (Douglas Booth) hoping to win the favour of one of the girls. He is accompanied by the wealthier and equally eligible Mr Darcy (Sam Riley) who abhors the locals and butts head with Elizabeth.
The group has to navigate its way through marriage, social classes and as the title suggests, zombies. In this version however, the different classes are trained to be warriors, learning to fight in different parts of the world and the Bennets are said to be trained in China as ninjas.
It is evident earlier on that Grahame-Smith was trying to modernise the classic story by introducing elements such as the zombie apocalypse as well as a hint of comedy but failed horribly.
17 Again director Burr Steers had the odds stacked up against him on this one and there was no way he would make a success of it. The actors, especially James and Riley, cannot be faulted for their performances; unfortunately that too was not enough to save the movie from being a flop.
Those who can’t get enough of zombies or women, who faultlessly fight like ninjas while flashing their stockings, might have something to get their pulse racing when watching the movie buts that’s where it ends. The story line is unnecessarily dragged on and one can’t help but want to beg to make it stop.
Perhaps if it was turned into a short spoof for Saturday Night Live (SNL) or Inside Amy, it would have been more enjoyable, but to draw it out into a movie is just cruel and unusual punishment.
It may have seemed like a good idea to want to introduce ninjas and zombies to 19th century England, but that’s where it should have stopped, merely being an idea.
Everything seems muddled as Grahame-Smith and Steers try to fit in zombies into balls, with the fight sequences sometimes feeling forced.
Maybe it needed a more seasoned director or it just needed a few more layers to make it more complex, as opposed to the straight, unimaginative route they took, where one could predict with certainty what was to come next.
One can only hope they take a different approach the next time they want to introduce sci-fi elements to a beloved classic story.

Attention-mongering
RUMOUR mongers are accusing a certain mu­sically inclined lad who rhythmically waxes lyrical, of suffering from Attention Craving Disorder (ACD). The lad, who has not attained the international acclaimed status many would have ex­pected from him, is said to not have taken kindly to the fact that local aficionados of his work used a local platform to talk up a counterpart from across the border. It is said that he was so peeved that he gave them a piece of his mind on the platform. However, some of his local fellows who have known him are claiming that he merely did it as a way to draw attention to himself, especially since he has not been receiving as much attention as he used to in his heyday. Surely there must be better ways to make yourself the talk of the town.
Wool over eyes
WORD on the street is that a certain entre­preneur whose main business is the pro­motion of musically inclined individuals is having the wool pulled over his eyes by a former beau. The former beau allegedly fingered him as the begetter of the fruit of her loins, to the point where she forged paper work to that effect. However she left some loose ends as the original paperwork was discover by an associate of hers. Unfortunately though, the mill has it on good authority that this associate has been talked into keeping mum, while this unsuspecting entrepreneur bends over back­wards for the fruit of someone else’s loins. What’s worse is the fact that this former beau allegedly makes all kinds of extreme demands, on the pretext that it’s for her offspring but it’s actually to sponsor her lavish lifestyle.
Liar! Liar!
NOW this next individual needs people to chant “Liar! Liar! Pants on fire!” every time she makes an appearance because of a few lies she is said to be spreading. Well-placed sourc­es have claimed that the nightingale who recently received several gongs for her works has been tell­ing certain individuals that she would like to enter into business with that she works under slave-like conditions so they can aid her in forgoing her cur­rent covenant. Unfortunately the individual who she entered the covenant with is none the wiser and is spending a pretty penny to aid her in attaining more gongs. Those who have the same covenant as hers under the same individual have claimed that all the things she says cannot be trusted as she re­ceives everything she ask for. Yikes! It seems fame and power has gone to her head.
But who is to say, this is all just tittle-tattle from the grapevine…