By Faith Haushona-Kavamba

HE famously became born-again two years ago, a commendable feat for a hard-core rapper, previously of the world.
Now, Slammer is ready to let his fans in and see the transformation he has made in the past couple of years with his latest album as a born-again rapper.
“The music from my current album is reflection of my growth… I have gotten to know myself and I am now comfortable with who I am,” Slammer said.
The album titled Real Nigga, has been in the works for a little over a year and is scheduled for release in October or November this year.
Having previously released two EPs (extended play- which contains a lot more tracks to be a single but is too short to be categorised as an album); this is the biggest and most extensive body of work that the rapper will be releasing.
“I wanted to give back to Namibians for all the support they gave me throughout the years and I believe producing this album was the best way to do so,” Slammer said.
He said that every track on the album documented a certain period in his life, which would allow for people to see how far he has come. He said this is why one of the singles to be released from the album, Real Nigga Talk, is not the stereotypical gospel rap people would expect of him now, but rather who he used to be.
Slammer said that each track on the album would be a gradual transformation, and by the time fans get to his gospel track titled When I Make It, they will begin to understand and respect his process as well as his journey through life.
“I not only want people to hear my transformation, but I also want them to see it so I am also creating videos for all 14 tracks on the album. Currently I have four complete music videos and we have two incomplete ones that are being edited,” he explained.
Apart from allowing his fans to see his life through his eyes, Slammer also said that the album was a way to heal from the wounds of his painful life experiences. Instead of sweeping them under the rug, the rapper said he was addressing them head-on in his songs so he can heal and be able to move on peacefully.
“I am headed in the direction of making clean gospel music. I do want to produce clean music (and spread the word)… I believe this is why I have the talent of music and that’s why I went through some of the difficult life experiences,” the award winning rapper said.
While he admitted that he felt like he is making great strides in the right direction, he said the process is not without its challenges. “The trouble I face currently is the fact that people are used to me as a hard-core hip hop artist. They are used to hearing about my street life so the cross-over is difficult, I can’t just spring it on them so it’s a slow process,” he explained.
But he was not discouraged by this because he said he was doing it for the right reasons, mainly to praise and thank God for the righteous mercies bestowed on his life.
Although he has received a good reception from his fans so far on the singles received and people are eager to buy the album, he said he would not be doing any promotional or tour work this year.
“I am not scheduled to perform this year, save for September 2, at the Zoo Park where I will be performing at Dallock’s album launch. Other than that I am busy with production, my goal is to stick to the promise of creating videos for all the songs,” Slammer said.
He said that he also chose to only do a handful of collaborations for the album so his message would not be drowned out by the voices of other mu s i c i ans on the album. He also said he would not have an official album launch when it was out because he wants fans to get to know the music for themselves.
“Compared to my EPs, the stories in my album are more relevant and the sound is more live, some songs were made with live instruments in the studio. I am aiming to uplift and inspire the youth,” Slammer concluded.

Ku Eliaser Ndeyanale

AANANGESHEFA yatatu ya tseyika nawa moshilongo oya li ya pewa oonkatu dhuundohotola koshiputudhilo sho pombanda sho International University of Management (IUM) mEtitano lyoshiwike sha zi ko.
Mboka yapewa oonkatu dhuundohotola oyo omunangeshefa Banda Shilimela goongeshefa yedhina Shilimela security services, omunangeshefa Twapewa Kadhikwa atseyika nawa nedhina Pewa okwa pewa onzapo yo Master’s degree muunangeshefa, ompanga omungeshefa gwedhina Erastus Shapumba atseyika nawa nedhina “Chicco” goongeshefa yedhina Chicco Building Materials Supply. Omunangeshefa Pewa omwene go restaurant hayi landitha iikulya niikunwa yopamuthigululwakalo yedhina Xwama cultural village and traditional yili molukanda lwa Wanaheda mOvenduka.
Omu chakanselili goshiputudhilo shika meme Virginia Namwandi okwa ti oshiputudhilo shatumbaleke mbaka ya tatu molokulonga nuudhiginini kwa wo sho ya kokeke nokutula oongeshefa dhawo pamithika dhopombanda lela.
Omuprofessoli Earle Taylor okwa gandja oondjokonona dhaanangeshefa mbaka aanyanyamagulu lela. Omuprofesoli Taylor okwa teneneke iilonga yaanangeshefa mbaka nkene ya tameke oongeshefa dhawo poshituthi shika opwa li wo pwa dhanwa uunyandwa hokololo wu li pa lupe lo video ta u hokolola nkene aanangeshefa mbaka ya tatu ya tameke nokunkondopeka oongeshefa dha wo. Omuna wo oointerviwu dhoka dha li dha ningwa koshiputudhilo shika namboka ye ya shi nawa.
Mokundjokonona aanangeshefa mbaka tate Taylor okwa longitha omadhilaadhilo gaafilofi nosho omadhilaadhilo gaanawino ngaashi Eugene Nida mokukonaakona shoka sha etwa po kaanangeshefa mbaka yatatu.
Okwa hokolola woo aantangeshefa mbaka yatatu kutya oya longo nuudhiginini noku gandja iilonga kaantu yethike pomwaalu go 9000.
Poshituthi shika opwa li pwa ka liwa kaanambelewa yondondo dha yooloka mepangelo, oministeli dhepangelo, omukokoli president Tatekulu Sam Nujoma, oministeli yotango tango yiikwamuna mu Namibia lya manguluka Tatekulu Andimba Toivo ya Toivo, omunyekadhi goshilongo meme Monica Geingos, omubisofi tatekulu Kleopas Ndumeni, omumbifosi Shekutamba Nambala nosho wo ngoka a li nale omu Prime Minister Tatekulu Nahas Angula.
Mboka wo ya li ya pewa oonzapo dhuundohotola omimvo dhapiti oyo ngaashi oministeli onkulu yoondjila omundohotola Moses Amweelo ngoka apewa onzapo ndjika momumvo 2011, omundohotola Rakesh Wahi, omundohotola Nils Clausen no showo omundohotola Lyndon Jones oya pewa oonzapo dhika momumvo 2012.
Omuprofesoli Jack Mahkaza, omundohotola Quinton van Rooyen nomundotola Ben Hauwanga oya pewa oonzapo dhika momumvo 2013 ompanga momumvo go 2014 oonzapo ndjika oya li ya pewa tatekulu Andimba Toivo ya Toivo.
Moshipopiwa she sho agandja poshituthi shika tatekulu Nujoma okwa pandula kelelo lyo university ndjika sho lye mu hiya opo agandje oshipopiwa shesiku.

THE impulse to start a business with friends likely strikes everyone at some point and although many argue against mixing business with pleasure, Namibian commerce has no shortage of business buddies.
In fact one such venture, Wangara Automotive Group, was founded and is run by four friends who are making giant strides in the heavily male-dominated automotive services industry. The women, Justina Shingenge (accountant), Christophine Amukwaya (business administrator), Omagano Nangolo (administrator) and Elizabeth Asino- Joseph (computer scientist) founded the thriving business venture that many hail as the country’s answer to safe driving.

While their core business lies in tyre fitment and supply they also provide other services including vehicle supply, fleet management, transportation, batteries supply, shock services, vehicle tracking and brakes services amongst others.
Their success story comes after years of personal financial problems before brainstorming ways to transform themselves and ultimately turning their business idea of curbing the carnage on the country’s roads into a sustainable enterprise that could generate livelihoods.
Armed with startup capital they had saved for a year and an additional sourced from the Ministry of Trade – they officially opened doors in 2014 and have continued growing. With a workforce of 23, Wangara has become one of the country’s most recognisable automotive services company and prides itself in providing its clientele with friendly services and state-of-the art equipment.
In an interview with Confidente recently, the group’s general manager Asino-Joseph talks about their journey, the company’s difficulties and its future.
Briefly tell us about the establishment of Wangara?
In our quest to give a good start to our growing children so that they do not struggle for jobs like we did when we started working, I called some friends together on a Sunday afternoon at Parliament Gardens. I pitched the idea to the friends, not knowing exactly which business to get into. Everyone was sold to the idea so we decided to put money together for a year while figuring out exactly what business we wanted to enter into.
We looked at the problems that Namibia has. Road fatalities always came up at the tops. We studied reports of what caused the accidents, and tyre related problems in addition to driver errors were mostly the causes of accidents. We then decided to open a tyre shop that helped people especially women who knew less about tyres. We setup a shop in Windhoek’s Northern Industrial Area in 2014. Then we opened our head office in Prosperita 2015. From 18 August 2016 we will also be in Ongwediva, opposite Oshana Mall.
Being in the industry has opened up other doors and we have expanded to Lease and Rent of vehicles, Fleet management and Vehicle Tracking, Batteries Supply, Tyre Fitment and Supply, Brakes & Shock Services and so on. Our aim is to have a one stop shop that provides the various automotive services to the Namibian nation.
Do the founders have experience in the nature of the business?
All founders have various experiences in running institutions not necessarily automotive. We have experts in finance, information technology, business administration and accounting. Adding the experiences of our husbands (lawyers, engineers etc.), we consider ourselves a formidable team. Then we sought services of experts in the industry to be part of our establishment. These are previously disadvantaged Namibians who have worked in the industry for as long as 15-20 years, but were always bypassed when there were managerial positions in the companies they were working for. With our managerial skills and their expertise in the industry, we have been able to work together and teach each other the expertise needed. Watching these very able men and women blossom into fine managers has been very rewarding.
What are challenges and opportunities facing the business?
Expertise: Due to scarcity of well-trained tyre fitment personnel, be it balancers or wheel aligners, we have had to hire youths from the street and train them to complement the experts we have. We have sent young people to training both in Namibia and South Africa. We have also brought experts from overseas to teach us.
Financing: We have found it challenging to get funding from the banks, but that will not deter us. We are pushing forward. Our objectives are clear, we have to help Namibia rid itself of road fatalities.
New Customers: Wangara Motor Spares has invested in modern state of the art machines that are accurate, fast and cost effective. This is not the case with most of the tyre shops around town. We would like to see seas of people coming to get the great service that we are known for. We shall forever strive to improve our service, improve our machines to take advantage of the technological changes the new machines have and pass them onto our clients.
Be partners in keeping our roads safe: We work with organisations that work to keep our roads safe such as AA Namibia. It is our conviction that every little contribution helps and road fatalities have to be curtailed immediately. It is heartbreaking that our young and productive citizens are being wiped out, because of road accidents.
Apart from competitive prices, what sets the business apart from others?
We have the best service ever! Where else do you go for tyre fitment and get served cappuccino? Our team makes every effort to make our customers comfortable, but more so also explains to the customers the best ways to keep their tyres in good condition…such as using Nitrogen (N2) instead of normal air and getting the tyres checked at least after every 10 000 km or when they are going on long trips. As much as we sell we also educate. We have invested in state of the art machines that are accurate, fast and reliable. When you leave our workshop you get a print out of what has been done on your vehicle and the results. This goes a long way to prove that your vehicle was in perfect condition when proof is needed. Wangara is flexible in its service. Many a time we are called during weekends or at odd hours to help our customers. We do so happily and always have a team on standby to help in such situations.
What is the company doing to ensure that other women excel in this type of business?
Just being here is an example to other women. We are always open to telling others what we know about the business. If automotive services is something a lady wants to pursue, we welcome her with open a r m s . Better ye t , other women can explore other ventures so that Namibian business ownership can truly be diversified in all facets of the economy.
What are the company’s short and long term plans?
To grow and have presence in all corners of Namibia. To have all automotive services under one roof.

By Eliaser Ndeyanale

FOUNDING President Sam Nujoma last week Friday marked the International University of Management’s special graduation ceremony of with a message chronicling the University’s achievements.
The university conferred two honorary doctorate degrees to two businessmen Banda Shilimela of Shilimela Security Services and Erastus Shapumba. An honorary degree of Masters of Business Administration was conferred to Twapewa Kadhikwa owner of Xwama Cultural Village and Traditional restaurant. Nujoma said when he was invited to the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the IUM in 2010, the administration block was the only new building at the Dorado Park Campus, but noted that the situation had gradually improved since then. He said new blocks such as lecture halls, administrative block and the female students’ hostel demonstrate the success and achievement of IUM which has six campuses spreading from Windhoek to Walvis Bay and Swakopmund in the Erongo region to Nkurenkuru in the Kavango West region, and Ongwediva in Oshana region respectively. He acknowledged his close association and contribution to the establishment of IUM which he officially inaugurated in 2002. “As a milestone of the higher education system of Namibia, today IUM is following the international practice in the awarding of honorary doctorates. “Even before 2002, when the founder of IUM, Dr. (David) Namwandi wanted to initiate and establish a higher education institution in the mid-1990s, I had the opportunity to be associated with him on how to establish, grow, and expand such a higher learning institution.” Nujoma said Namwandi proved to the Namibia and the rest of the world that he was a visionary who did not just had a day dream, but turned dreams into reality. “As a result, we now see IUM in our midst scaling the higher education landscape in Namibia with certainty and drive. “In this regard, in awarding honorary doctoral degrees, IUM, in its humble way, is joining a long and a well-established tradition that goes back to the Middle Ages. ”It is thus my conviction that IUM possesses appropriate facilities and human resources to deliver effective and efficient higher education programmes in the country, the SADC region and the entire African continent as well as the rest of the world.
“I must also state here for the record that the establishment of Nkurenkuru campus in the Kavango West Region is a welcome development. I believe the move is history in the making because with limited resources, IUM became the first higher education institution to establish itself in that region.”
He said that IUM would provide the expected service delivery not only to the Kavango West and East regions but also to other regions and neighbouring countries. “Bravo IUM for your patriotism and courage to venture into an untapped market,” said Nujoma.

By Johannes Hangula

AFTER the national dialogue on the regulation of heavy motor vehicles and conditions of employment of truck drivers in Namibia held recently by the National Road Safety Council in partnership with the Ministry of Works and Transport, various outcomes were proposed.
NRSC chairman Eliphas !Owos-oab, Nampol commissioner Ralph Ludwig and Damien Mabengano from the Ministry of Works updated the public on the outcomes from the national dialogue.
The following outcomes emerged; as it was agreed that: restriction on driving of heavy motor vehicles would negatively affect Namibia’s economy and its competitive advantage of trade, import and export with landlocked countries in SADC. In addition; self-regulation is a preferred option going forward, in respect the National Logistic Association (NLA) and Private Sector Road-safety Forum (PSRF) representing transport operators pledged to come up with a self-regulation model within a week, such be considered in an arrangement involving NRSC and truck drivers.
The Ministry of Labour will address the issue raised by the truck drivers in terms of conditions of employment and initiate engagement with the concerned group. Further, the NRSC will formally direct, through its line Ministry, a request regarding employment conditions within a given timeframe; and this will lead to a tripartite engagement between the Ministry of Works, transport operators and truck drivers.
The outcome of the tripartite engagement will outline Namibia’s position on the regulation of heavy motor vehicles and employment conditions of truck drivers and ultimately produce a self-regulatory model within the framework of existing road traffic and transport regulations. Heavy motor vehicles’ involvement in road accidents has risen significantly on Namibia’s road safety list, with recent accidents reports of single vehicles collisions with heavy trucks that are associated with mass causalities, as result of long driving hours and drivers’ fatigue, coupled with deteriorating conditions of employment of truck drivers. However, Namibia still cannot restrict the movement of heavy vehicles as a result of increased trade with its SADC neighbours like Botswana, South Africa, Zambia, DRC, Zimbabwe and Angola. Another vital factor is the growth of freight transport and number of heavy vehicles on transport corridors such as Walvis Bay-Ndola- Lubumbashi, Trans- Kalahari, Trans-Orange and Trans- Kunene. It was decided too that another reason Namibia is unable to impose restrictions on heavy vehicles movement on the road, was due to the Logistic Hub Project which was established under the umbrella of the Walvis Bay Corridor Group (WBCG), in terms of which Namibia positions itself as a regional leader in logistics and distributions, the cargo volumes handled will have to double by 2017. Furthermore Namibia does not have a road traffic management system (RTMS) as a self-regulatory scheme, as in the case of South Africa. The RTMS is an industry-led self-regulatory scheme the encourages consignees, consignors and transport operators engaged in the road logistics value chain to implement a vehicle management system that preserves road infrastructure, improves road safety and increases the productivity of the logistics value chain.

By Hileni Nembwaya

THE Government through the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry has requested NamWater to urgently pump water from Olushandja Dam to drought stricken areas in Omusati, Oshana and Oshikoto regions.
Many of the northern regions are currently faced with a lack of sufficient grazing which has already caused many livestock deaths as a result. The agriculture ministry has set aside about N$255 million for water supply projects in the country between now and 2019.
NamWater senior corporate communications officer, Johannes Shigwedha told Confidente that the exercise will bring relief to the farmers and animals in particular.
“Olushandja Dam is quite full at the moment and the water will be pumped until the next rainy season. However, I would like to urge the farmers and the residents at large not to consume the water because it is solely for the animals only,” said Shigwedha.
This is the first time that the water utility pumped water into the canal since it last pumped in water in 1998.
NamWater is currently also excavating the canal that runs from Olushandja to Uuvudhiya constituency in Oshana region.
NamWater, area manager for Cuvelai, Thomas Shikwa said that Government is also busy at the moment drilling production boreholes at Oshandi in Ohangwena region to make provision of water to animals.
The bulk water pipes would be connected at Epembe, while other minor boreholes would be drilled in the region for aquifer management.
“The agriculture ministry is busy drilling boreholes in Ohangwena as a way to mitigate water scarcity because there are no boreholes in Ohangwena. The boreholes will be used also as an experiment for the underground aquifer,” said Shikwa.
A local farmer, Aishe Shaanika at Okanyi village in Omusati expressed joy when he was asked how he feels about NamWater pumping water into the canal, saying that it is a relief to the residents.
“I am so happy; I cannot even express my joy and happiness. Our animals were dying and now NamWater has rescued them,” he said adding that it has been many years since NamWater last pumped water into the canal.

By Patience Nyangove

THE Namibian police has accused the Public Service Commission (PSC) of discrimination against its pilots who are the only aviators in Government not paid a single penny in professional and danger allowances unlike their counterparts in the Air Services and Namibia Defence Force.
Confidente has managed to establish that other pilots in Government are paid substantial amounts in allowances. According to an allowance schedule of pilots employed in the Ministry of Works and Transport-Directorate of Air Services who fly the presidency in either the Lear or Falcon jets they get a professional allowance of between N$16 000 and N$31 900, international competitive allowance of between N$59 000 and N$226 412, operations managers’ allowance of N$144 388, entertainment allowance of N$96 257 for the Captain of the Falcon, N$81 817 for the Captain of the Lear jet and N$57 753 for the first officer of the Falcon. The figures are for annual allowances. In addition to that they are paid allowances that include long and short range allowances that range between N$22 612 and N$108 289 annually.
Pilots in the Air Force are also paid professional allowances that range between N$19 925 and N$52 271 annually. Inspector General of the Namibian Police, Lieutenant General, Sebastian Ndeitunga confirmed the predicament of the police pilots and added that his office had written to the PSC in the past four years about the matter and up to this day has not received any feedback.
“We have written to the PSC requesting them to also pay our pilots danger and professional allowances they pay other pilots in the civil service but up to now we are yet to get any feedback from them. In fact we made a submission to the PSC that all police officers should be paid risk and danger allowances,” Ndeitunga said.
However, the PSC, last week denied ever receiving a formal request from Nampol over the allowances of pilots. The commission however confirmed that a fact finding delegation from Nampol had travelled to several countries to establish a benchmark on the allowances that are paid other pilots within the police force.
Wilma Deetleff a Commissioner at the PSC who deals with Nampol matters while admitting that Nampol pilots are not being paid any allowances unlike their counterparts revealed that the force has not yet made a formal request for the awarding of the allowances to the commission.
“The Namibian police undertook benchmark visits to Tanzania, South Africa and the United Kingdom to look at how benefits for police officers in those countries are and that was in 2014. However the report they complied following those visits only reached me on March 2 2016. On July 15 the sub-committee met to discuss issues they presented following Nampol’s visits. It’s true Nampol pilots don’t get any allowances but it’s not true that the police have been writing to us during the past four years. No-one can recall such a request from Nampol. The first request for the allowances came on March 2 this year. “The police were asked to go and prioritise and decide which allowances are the most important because government can’t afford to pay all the allowances requested. Since July 15 we haven’t heard anything from the police. We assume they are still discussing before they make a formal request. Most of the people in the Air Services were seconded from Air Namibia and so to top up their salaries, allowances have to be added but that doesn’t mean Nampol pilots won’t also be given allowances. However we have to keep in mind the current financial problems that are happening in Namibia and the rest of world. The benchmark in their submission is just too much for Government to afford.”

By Eliaser Ndeyanale

OUTJO constituency councillor Johannes Antsino last week called on the Government to act in addressing day to day issues affecting ordinary Namibians, despite attempts to stop him from speaking out by his fellow Swapo party Member of Parliament and Linyanti constituency councillor Cletius Sipapela, during the National Council session.
Antsino suggested that regional councillors and the public be consulted by the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development to add their input on regional council budgets before they are broken down by the officials at the ministry.
“You are not consulted when the budget is being broken down. This is very discouraging. People should be involved as they have exercised their democratic right when they voted not that someone just comes to speak (on how much money the region has been allocated) and drinks water then they go. It is time that we respond to people’s needs,” Antsino suggested.
Surprisingly Sipapela shouted at his comrade without waiting to be recognised by the chairperson of the National Council; accusing the young MP of sharing the Affirmative Repositioning’s sentiment.
“We know you. You are bringing AR, we will deal with you,” said Sipapela.
An unshaken Antsino continued with his speech, but this time urging the Government to look into the issue of education in his region (Kunene) saying that learners as well as teachers sleep in makeshift tents.
“Teachers and learners sleep in tents, without no network and electricity yet the ministry expects a high pass rate in their exams. This situation is discouraging.”
He also accused foreign investors of dictating on the country’s economy.
“The nation is not benefiting from the economy it’s only foreign investors that are benefiting,” he said, giving an example of Rossing Uranium mine in which Government has a three per cent shareholding.
The Iranian Foreign Investment Company owns 15 per cent, a stake it acquired during the set-up of the company in the early 1970s. The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) of South Africa owns 10 per cent, while local individual shareholders own a combined three per cent shares.
“The foreign investors must not tell us what we must own. It is a challenge that we have foreign investors dictating on us.”
Antsino further proposing for the Government to control the allocation of fishing quotas and Exclusive Prospecting Licences (EPL).
“Every foreign company getting fishing or mining rights in Namibia … the Namibian people must get 50 percent from that company.”
Councillor Rosa Kavara requested the Ministry of Mines and Energy to consider rural electrification as schools and clinics in the Kavango West region that have no electricity.
“Sixty percent of offices in the Kavango West region have no electricity while drilling and installation of boreholes takes time to be completed,” she said.

By Confidente Reporter

THE Windhoek City Police has recorded over 1 700 incidents of house robberies since January, an alarming situation that calls for increased safety measures by homeowners.
Statistics by the municipal police shows that there has been a total of 1 773 cases of house robberies with 242 recorded in January, 261 in February and 273 in March. The cases rose to 280 in April during the long weekend of Easter but remained relatively high in May at 225. Another 248 incidents were recorded in June while 244 were recorded in July.
The startling figures officials say are a clear indication that burglars are determined to get into homes and as such homeowners equally have to be determined to keep them out by putting in place various security measures.
“In the period starting January, the house break-ins were relatively low but started picking up as we approached the middle of the year. In May, the numbers decreased but slightly increased again. The high number of house break-ins during April could be a result of the Easter long weekend where a lot of people travelled out of town leaving some houses unattended,” said City Police’s Constable Fabian Amukwelele in the Public and Community Relations department.
Amukwelele said that most of the house robberies are committed in informal settlements during the day when most residents are most likely to be out of their homes at either school or work. “This could be attributed to the fact that these houses do not have secure locks thus causing vulnerability to house break-ins.”
He advised that it is imperative for homeowners to know these statistics so that they can prep their homes to be safe in their absence. “It is advised that homeowners take extra precaution on the safety of their homes by securing their homes with quality padlocks, closing all windows, having an alarm system connected, and informing neighborhood watch groups when they leave for holiday amongst other precaution measures.”
City Police has also raised concern over the increase solar panel thefts, with a syndicate targeting mostly the Brakwater area. The solar panels once stolen are normally sold to individuals who own shebeens in informal areas.
Nearly two weeks ago, City Police arrested three burglars when they were caught selling stolen solar panels worth N$40 000 in Katutura. The suspects when questioned revealed that they had stolen the items from Elisenhein in the Brakwater area and were going to sell each solar panel for N$6 000. They were charged for being in possession of stolen items and the owner has since opened a case of theft against them.
“We would like to urge the public, farm owners and especially residents in Brakwater to be on the lookout.”

By Marianne Nghidengwa

THE Mayor of Oshakati, Katrina Shimbulu is under investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for alleged corrupt practices that involve the abuse of Subsistence and Travelling allowance (S&T) and council vehicles to conduct her private affairs amongst a host of other fraudulent activities.
Information at hand suggests that ACC Director General, Paulus Noa last month wrote to Oshakati Town Council’s CEO, Werner Iita outlining the investigation into Shimbulu’s alleged corrupt activities and requested the council to do its own investigations and give him answers by this week.
Confidente reliably learnt that Shimbulu is under investigation for failing to reimburse an advance of over N$20 000 to attend a Commonwealth meeting in Gaborone, Botswana which she never attended.
In another incident, the Mayoress reportedly also failed to reimburse an advance of N$4 000 for attending an Association of Local Authorities in Namibia (ALAN) meeting in Tsumeb. She reportedly failed to account on how she had spent the money.
Shimbulu reportedly also bought a N$13 999 cellphone although her cellphone allowance only qualifies her for a mobile valued at N$3 000.
It is also alleged that Shimbulu during March went on a three-day unapproved private business trip to Walvis Bay using the council’s vehicle and a driver.
While Noa could not confirm nor deny the investigations, he said he was not ready to talk about the matter with the media. “I don’t discuss those things with the media because normally we engage with the management. I am not ready to share anything with the media on this matter,” Noa said.
Confidente understands that Shimbulu has been avoiding the ACC to an extent that officials rocked up at her office several times but could not find her. She initially fainted when she got wind of the investigations.
The ACC reportedly requested Shimbulu to provide information and evidence in her defence but that she is yet to do so. A source said, “When the ACC confronted her on the allegations, she fainted. She promised to give the ACC a response but then the ACC has been struggling to see her.”
C o n t a c t e d for comment, Shimbulu said that the matter was news to her. “I don’t know of any investigations against me by the ACC. I was in Windhoek for a week so maybe I will soon hear of that story,” adding “I have not avoided anyone. My office is open and my mobile is always on. I have not received any phone calls from the ACC,” she retorted.
Iita pleaded ignorance when contacted saying, “I haven’t heard anything. But normally when a person gets money for any occasion but did not attend, they give back that money.”
Shimbulu is not a first-timer in the local media over controversy. Nearly three years ago, she spent a night behind bars for failing to settle a N$500 traffic fine. Before her arrest at the time, she was found driving 96km/h in a 60km/h zone outside Ongwediva.

By Patience Nyangove

GOVERNMENT has frozen the filling of any civil service vacancies this year in a bid to raise at least N$750 million needed in drought relief aid to urgently feed nearly 600 000 people-approximately a quarter of the country’s population, Confidente has learnt.
Confidente can also reveal that as part of stringent fiscal consolidation measures Government through the Ministry of Finance now requires ministries to formulate monthly budgets where they outline what they intend to use the requested money for before Treasury approves and subsequently releases the funds to the ministries.
These measures come hot on the heels of another Government decision in June to slash the national budget by 7.4 percent which translates to N$4.9 billion from the N$67 billion national budget barely three months after it was presented. The Ministry of Finance has also cut the projected 2017/18 national budget by 3.1 percent. Government said the budget cuts are a necessary evil as the country needs to learn to live within its means amid a volatile economic climate
Treasury blames among other things macro-economic factors like a weaker currency, low revenue from the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and poor performance of economies of the behind the volatile economic conditions. country’s major trading partners as the major driving force
Minister of Finance, Calle Schlettwein confirmed to Confidente, Monday of the new measures which are said to have shaken most ministries who in the past have been rightly accused of splashing or diverting tax payers’ money from its intended purposes.
“All funded vacant positions in Government have been frozen in-order for us to be able to raise money to fund the drought relief so we will not be able to proceed with any recruitment. As Government we have to mobilise resources to feed our people affected by the drought. Most vacant positions will not be filled this year,” Schlettwein said.
Namibia like other countries in the Sadc region is battling a severe El-Nino induced drought. The situation is particularly severe in rural areas where thousands of people will need Government intervention to cope with the effects of drought during the 2016/2017 financial year.
The effects of the poor short rains received in the country have also resulted in farmers countrywide losing their livestock.
It was recently reported that farmers in the Erongo region lost a combined income of N$10 million since November 2015 to date. The estimated 6 000 farmers lost on average 1 318 cattle, 2 483 goats, 3 252 sheep and 26 horses.
On the issue of treasury releasing money to ministries on a monthly basis, Schlettwein said the measures were introduced in-order to control when and how ministries spend.
“Ministries must now indicate to treasury what they intend to use funds for before the money is released. We have introduced month to month loading of funds to ministries whereby they indicate to us what they want to use the money for first before the funds are released. These measures have been introduced to regulate when and how we spend within government. It has been a tough year and we need to match what we spend with our budget. We are trying to avoid spending blindly,” Schlettwein said.
As part of the stringent measures, Schlettwein added that his ministry had put a stop to all non-essential trips by civil servants.
“We have stopped all unnecessary travels. Some ministries have already exhausted their S&T budgets and have tried to shift from other operational expenses to S&T and Treasury has rejected this,” he said.
Last year Prime-Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila warned civil servants against using Government as their cash cow through S&T and overtime claims after revelations that S&T claims of the civil service are expected to increase from N$590 million to N$760 million.

By Confidente Reporter

CONTROVERSY surrounds Attorney General, Sakeus Shanghala’s decision to offer legal opinion to the Tender Board in favour of Namib Rail a joint venture between D&M Rail Construction (Pty) Ltd a company co-owned by his former business partner, James Hatuikulipi at Hanganeni Investments despite a High Court decision in March that nullified the awarding of the N$100 million contract to Namib Rail.
Shanghala, Hatuikulipi and Leevi Hungamo, the current P e r m a n e n t Secretary at the National Planning Commission used to be co-directors in Hanganeni Investments before some of the members claimed they had stepped down from the company.
Sources close to the matter allege that there was clear conflict of interest on Shanghala’s part and he should have recused himself from the matter.
According to a letter in Confidente’s possession, Shanghala on May 6 wrote to the Ministry of Finance’s Permanent Secretary Ericah Shafudah endorsing an opinion given by Hafeni Hamunyela a lawyer in his office recommending that Namib Rail gets the tender.
“I totally agree with the opinion sought by my office and as such endorse it as the opinion of the Attorney-General to client, id est, the Tender Board of Namibia. The court referred the matter back for adjudication by the Tender Board. My view, is that the GRN should never be in a position to pay more for services, simply because those that set up the tender specifications, seemed to have done so to preclude providers that can deliver a product (ballast) cheaper than the rest because they are in possession of transport facilities which are not costed to the client (because Namib Rail is a JV between Transnamib and D&M Rail Construction (Pty) Ltd, rail transport on their line is cheaper if not rendered for third parties neither can rules be applied rigidly- the envelope tender rule of 15 percent.
“Save for the chapeau of paragraph 19 of the opinion, whilst I endorse the rest of the paragraph, I do opine that on the basis of the analysis in the opinion, the Tender Board should appoint Namib Rail for the tender, if it is true that their price is cheaper by virtue of their competitive advantage. GRN should not pay more than it ought to under any circumstances, all factors considered as in this case,” Shanghala said. According to a recent report in The Namibian, the Tender Board has allegedly been trying to
The daily also reported that: “Despite having conceded in the High Court that Namibia Rail Construction failed to meet some of the basic requirements and they should thus not have been awarded the contract, the Government has since been rewriting the rules to suit Namibia Rail Construction in the N$94 million tender to supply ballast to rehabilitate the railway line between Tsumeb in the North and Kranzberg in the mid-west of Namibia.
“The Government conceded during the court case that Namibia Rail Construction (Namib Rail) failed to comply with several strict requirements by submitting incomplete tender documents, as well as leaving blank spaces, while the rules stipulate that they must be filled in, and also by quoting 61% below the estimated cost, a rule of thumb which often leads to disqualification.”
Efforts to get comment from Shanghala were fruitless as questions emailed to him had not been responded to at the time of going to print.
Hatuikulipi was also unavailable for comment while Shafudah referred Confidente to Helena Kapenda, Secretary to the Tender Board who had not responded to an inquiry sent to her at the time of going to print.

Namibia’s medal hopeful welterweight light boxer, Jonas Jonas Junias failed to impress in his preliminary round of the Olympic Games against France-national Amzile Hassan on Thursday.

Junias who was earlier this week arrested for alleged sexually harassment against a house keeper at the   athletes’ village lost by 3-0 in his opening fight.

The 2014 Commonwealth Games’ silver medallist was released on bail with stiff conditions attached, one of the conditions given was for the boxer to hand in his passport and that there is a likely-hood Junias could remain in Brazil when the Summer Games conclude later this month.

Its not known how deep the allegations has affected the boxer psychologically in that it might have affected his game plan.

Junias has joined his four other compatriots who exited the Games after a poor showing and are trap shooter Gabby Ahrens, road cyclists Dan Craven and Vera Adrian including boxer Mathias Amunyela who showed some sub-standard performance at the Olympic Games.

Namibia’s focus has now been redirected to the marathon runners, Beata Nandjala Naigambo, Helalia Lukeiko Johannes, Alina Armas and Mbeumuna Kauanivi who are all scheduled to compete over the weekend.

By Hileni Nembwaya
THE regional Governor of Oshikoto, Henock Kankoshi has revealed that the area is severely hit by water scarcity as many rural school taps have run dry.
Kankoshi said that water from many of the boreholes that were drilled years ago was now unfit for human consumption, while in many areas the water is said to be saline.
The water scarcity in the region is said to have now become a major regional priority.
“Many schools, especially those that are in the rural communities are faced with a dire need of water, while some are without any drop of water. The situation has affected us badly, however we have requested several ministries to bail us out,” said Kankoshi. Kankoshi has however assured the inhabitants that the regional council through the Ministry of Agriculture will be setting up water tanks at schools, health centres and community water points throughout the whole region where water is scarce.
Kankoshi further indicated that the poverty eradication ministry has thus far responded to the region’s outcry as the ministry is currently planning to drill two boreholes at a cost of more than N$300 000 at Nehale lya mpingana constituency.
The Ministry of Health and Social Services is also in the process of contracting a company to drill boreholes in the rural areas where there are clinics and hospitals.
The councillor of Onyaanya constituency, Petrus Kambala said that Onyaanya is one of the constituencies that are hard hit by the water shortage.
“I am happy for such initiatives because they would bring relief to our communities. I am really happy with what the Government is doing in our community,” he said. Earlier this year, the President announced that the Government is in need of more than N$24 billion to improve the on the current 33.5 percent water available countrywide. At the moment only about N$255 million is available for water supply projects in the country between this year and 2019.

By Hileni Nembwaya
IT was exactly at 18h00 on May 4 1978 when the South African air force flew over Cassinga, a Namibian refugee camp in southern Angola to carry out the largest airborne operations when close to 400 paratroopers were dropped near the town of Cassinga.
The airborne troops bombed the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) refugee camp and People’s Liberation Army of Namibia’s (PLAN) military base. The bombing was followed by ground forces that completed the massacre.
More than 600 Namibians, mostly women and children were massacred by the SADF troops, and hundreds more were injured.
Nghiyalasha ‘Hailonga’ Elisa Elia Haulyondjaba, was one of the three members of the PLAN Military Council (the War Council) at the Northern Front in 1973-1978, appointed to give advice to the two front commanders, Matias Ndakolo ‘Mbulunganga’ and Phillip Hamutenya Nandenga, also known as Zulu.
Haulyondjaba vividly remembers the horrible events of May 4 1978, saying that he was horrified to see for the first time in his life badly mutilated bodies of babies, children, women and men of all ages.
“I mourned the day of Cassinga. My family and relatives lost beloved ones, my father-in-law Nghifikepunye Simon Ndikwetepo (then aged 62) who was one of the elderly people responsible for supervising children in Cassinga, also died there on 4th May 1978. It is clear that the order was given to the soldiers on the ground to kill everyone found in Cassinga no matter that they were unarmed women or children … to kill as many as possible,” narrated Haulyondjaba.
He said that the enemy planned to attack during the time when people gathered in the morning; while people were gathered to be briefed about what was to be done for the day and to get tea.
“At Cassinga, there were many civilians including young – school students who came from their schools in Namibia. Some were voluntarily; some came on conscription recruitment basis. South Africa started it’s conscription in Namibia in 1977 whereby Namibians were forced to undergo military training to fight against their brothers who were fighting for Swapo,” said Haulyondjaba.
He furthermore pointed out that nation, especially the younger generations, needs to know what really happened during that fateful day.
“In the counselling of survivors of Cassinga they should be told what went wrong and what really happened those days. SADF attacked Cassinga with dangerous weapons, high fragmentation bombs including chemical substances. We in PLAN when orders were given to attack enemy targets, combatants always gave warnings to avoid attacking targets where women and children were present,” he noted.
This was the South African army’s first major air assault on a SWAPO refugee camp and military base.
A few weeks after the massacre, 600 Namibian children, most of whom were survivors of Cassinga, arrived in Cuba to study.
“Cuba opened its doors widely and generously to the Namibian refugees”. The South African government claimed that it was just a retaliatory raid against the SWAPO forces who had invaded Namibia with small strikes, and they (South Africans) had claimed to have withdrawn and had not left any South African forces in Angola.

By Confidente Reporter
OTJIWARONGO residents are alleging tremendous political pressure on the family of a 14-year-old girl impregnated by a 50-year-old man who is married to Swapo councillor and personal assistant of Otjozondjupa Governor, Sonia Iyambo.
Residents say that since the matter came under the public spotlight last month, the minor’s family has reportedly been under immense pressure to settle the issue mutually pointing out that the suspect, a fire brigade officer, Paulus Iyambo was only arrested nearly three months after the minor gave birth to a baby girl.
To make matters worse and further complicated, the minor’s father was quoted in a local publication defending the man accused of having raped and impregnated his daughter with the view that if he goes to jail, nobody will take care of the their baby.
At the time the father also said that the suspect had told him that he would financially support the minor and the baby hence his reluctance to report the matter to police. Residents however said that the minor’s father found it difficult to report the suspect who works for the fire brigade where he (the father) is a security guard.
Police said that the suspect was arrested on July 27 and appeared in the Otjiwarongo Magistrate’s Court on July 29 where his bail application was postponed to yesterday.
Although police said that the minor’s father eventually opened a case of statutory rape against the suspect, officials in the Ministry of Gender said that police acted after intense pressure from the public.
The officials also said that the minor gave birth via C-section in April and that both mother and child are doing fine. “They are doing very well and are currently in the care of one of the minor’s aunts. She will return to school next year and is still under counselling.”
Sonia when contacted for comment laughed at allegations of alleged political pressure on the matter but quickly defended her husband whom she said was being attacked unfairly.
“I don’t want to comment on this matter because people are busy tarnishing that poor man’s (Paulus) name. They are lying, there are people at the forefront of this thing so I don’t want to comment,” she retorted.

By Hileni Nembwaya
A committee established to carry out an investigation into the alleged illegal land grab by the Mayor of Oniipa town council, Kambonde Mannetjie Tsenayo, has established that the Mayor has plans to construct a block of flats inside the Olukonda parish graveyard.
Tsenayo is accused of illegally fencing off a large portion of land belonging to the Olukonda parish intended for the expansion of the cemetery.
The current Olukonda cemetery is due to run out of burial space soon thus the need to expand the cemetery was necessitated by the Olukonda parish congregation members.
Earlier this week, the village headman Peter Awene held a closed door meeting with other traditional leaders, Tsenayo, village elders and representatives from the Ondonga traditional authority (OTA) to interrogate how he came to occupy a piece of land without authorisation from OTA.
Confidente is reliably informed that Tsenayo failed to provide proof of papers in his name stating that he is the rightful owner of the land after being questioned by Awene.
“We wanted him (Tsenayo) to provide us proof of how he acquired the land but he failed. He could not provide us with definite answers as he kept on telling many stories that are not making any sense. Tsenayo disrespects the authority thus he does what pleases him without any authorisation from the village elders,” said a source that opted to remain anonymous.
“How does one think of constructing flats in a cemetery and near the church? A church is supposed to be in a peaceful environment with no excessive noise pollution. This is really wrong,” said another source.
Awene could not be reached for comment as he was said to have been engaged in lengthy meetings.
His personal assistant said that the investigations into the matter are still ongoing and Tsenayo was requested by Awene to vacate and hand back the land to the parish.
“We are hearing that he (Tsenayo) is planning to construct flats in the graveyard but we are yet to find out if it is true and we have not yet reached a resolution since the matter is still being investigated by Awene together with senior traditional leaders from OTA. Once we have reached a consensus, we will surely let you know,” said the assistant.
Tsenayo when contacted could not divulge more information regarding the matter, saying that Awene has not yet resolved the matter as several meetings are still being conducted to discuss the way forward.
“Please see me during the course of this week, so that I can give you enough information. The meetings are still ongoing,” he said on Tuesday.
It is believed that after a few days after the parish had erected poles to mark off the portion of land allocated to them by the Olukonda village headman, Peter Awene, Tsenayo descended on the land and fenced it off to pave way for the construction of his homestead leaving only a little space for the expansion.
This did not go well with the congregation members and residents citing that their relatives will have nowhere to be buried if the burial space at the old cemetery runs out.
The Olukonda parish congregants are also planning to hold a peaceful demonstration this month to protest against illegal land grabbing.

By Patience Nyangove
CABINET has set aside the legalising of same sex marriages and abortion in the country because the two matters are controversial and are against the majority of the population’s religious and cultural beliefs, the Minister of Justice, Dr Albert Kawana has said.
Kawana’s comments come in the wake of the United Nations’ recommendations last week that Namibia should look into legalising same sex marriages.
Kawana said the issue of legalising same sex marriages in the country was a difficult issue because the country was mostly made up of a 90 percent population whose Christian beliefs was against the practice.
“It’s a difficult issue. Namibia being a Christian country where 90 percent of the population is of the Christian faith it doesn’t tally with what the United Nations committee has asked of us. Our cultural background also does not allow homosexuality. Also in the international committee there is no consensus on this issue. Asian countries, Moslem nations and a number of Africa countries don’t agree with the UN on this matter. The difference is that in Namibia we don’t prosecute people. There is no case ever recorded that someone has either been arrested or discriminated because of their sexual orientation unlike in other countries.”
Kawana said Namibia was not in a hurry to legalise same sex marriages and abortion. He said the country can’t just wake up and decide to amend its Constitution.
“This issue was reported to Cabinet together with that one of abortion and 219 other recommendations from the UN that Namibia must consider. We accepted quite a number in March this year. On the issues of same sex marriages and abortion, Cabinet decided to set them aside. Government can’t wake up overnight and tell people to accept or not these issues. We need to consult widely and adopt a position accepted by the majority.
“In as much as we are an elected Government, Cabinet felt that more consultations are needed. We are setting aside abortion and same sex marriages for now. Cabinet can order a referendum or consultations on the matter but for now cabinet has suspended the matters. These processes take a lot of time and we are not in a hurry. The Supreme Court a long time ago ruled that same sex marriages are illegal. Now we just have to decide to decriminalise or abolish them.
“The Constitution must be preserved it is a reflection of certain values of our people. In 2014 we amended the Constitution now again we can’t amend it just like that. We can’t amend the Constitution as we feel, we need to protect it. It’s up to the nation to decide to change the Constitution or not.”
Kawana added that nobody in the country was being persecuted or discriminated over their sexual orientation.
“There is no need to persecute them but at the same time a scenario of heavily bearded men or women in lipstick marrying each other is a no,” Kawana said.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) activist, Wendelinus Hamutenya called on Government to rethink and urgently legalise same sex marriages in the country.
“We have to travel outside the country to get married yet we are in an independent country. Fifty percent of this population is gay. You find many young gay people at schools living in fear because of discrimination. Many older people who are either guardians or parents to LGBT people threaten them that if they come out in the open about their sexual orientation they will stop taking care of them. If we had legalised the rights of LGBT people this would not be happening. President (Hage) Geingob said no Namibian should be left out so why are we being left out? Some of us can’t even attend church because we are barred. However they are some church people who have accepted us for what we are and are willing to preside over our marriages but can’t because of the law,” he said.
The secretary general of the Council of Churches in Namibia (CCN), Reverend Maria Kapere was adamant that same sex marriages and abortion should not be legalised in the country.
“I’m in the process to call upon Namibians to sign petitions against same sex marriages and abortion in November. We need three months to gather at least 1 800 signatories and hand them over to our Government,” she said.

By Patience Nyangove
THE Namibia Airports Company (NAC) is set to get an entirely new board after the ministries of Works and Transport and Public Enterprises agreed to do away with the Ndeuhala Ndaendelao Lewis-led board by not renewing its term of office following a series of questionable multi-million dollar contracts that were allegedly awarded under its watch, Confidente has learnt.
The new board brings to the parastatal diverse experience in law, accounting, finance and auditing.
Confidente can also reveal that the new NAC board which was approved by Cabinet last week will be chaired by lawyer Rodgers Kauta, who will be deputised by Beverly Gawanas-Vugs. Gawanas-Vugs holds a Bachelors of Accounting (Honours) degree and is in the process of finalizing her Masters of Business Administration, both from the University of Namibia. She completed her articles in 2006 with PriceWaterhouseCoopers and has over 20 years of experience in auditing, accounting, finance, human resources, project management and general administration. Currently she is the Manager: Finance at the National Housing Enterprise and a Board Member of the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia.
Other board members are Ipupa Kasheeta, a terminal manager at Namport general manager at Namfisa and Rudolph Rohloff Rittmann. Lesenda Grace Mohamed, a Speculation has been rife whether some members of the old board’s term of office would be renewed especially after a verbal confrontation between the Minister of Public Enterprises Leon Jooste and his colleague Alpheus !Naruseb at Works and Transport after a submission prompting !Naruseb to surrender the troubled parastatal to his counterpart.
According to sources at the Ministry of Waorks and Transport, Cabinet approved the new board’s appointment last week.
The Minister of Public Enterprises, Leon Jooste, Monday also confirmed the appointment of the new board although he refused to divulge the identities of the new board.
“The new board was approved by Cabinet last Tuesday already. Entirely new … none of the former board members,” he said upon inquiry.
The old NAC board was made up of Lewis, Marthinus Boshoff, Frieda Aluteni, Panduleni Shimutwikeni and Agostinho Victor.
The old NAC board will be credited with presiding and approving quite a number of dubious contracts that saw the parastatal making the headlines for all the wrong reasons. The most recent of such dubious contracts is the bypassing of tender procedures to award a N$156 million contract for the supply of a security system and check-in counters for Eros and the Hosea Kutako International airports, to a company which made headlines after it won a tender for airport scanners that do not detect metal and explosives.
NAC purchased 21 check-in counters at a cost of 2 750 600 euros which translates to N$46 750 000, 125 terminal seats at 432 015 euros that is nearly N$7.5 million, 81 CCTV cameras and three control rooms for 340 000 euros- N$5 780 000, communication system for counters 2 250 000 euros- N$38 million, conveyor belts 1 400 000 euros-N$23 800 000, safety equipment N$8 330 000 and the cost of supervision for foreign and local labour is listed as 1 197 895 euros-N$20 364 000. NAC management had decided to handpick IBB because it is the largest supplier of security equipment to the Namibian army and police force.
The NAC senior management also stands accused of dubiously awarding another N$20 million three-year contract to the same company owned by Egyptian national Muhammad Omar for the maintenance of airport scanners it had supplied NAC last year. The scanners have since failed to meet international standards since they do not detect metal that is less than 300 grams. NAC paid N$48 million for the scanners.
The NAC board also allegedly yet again bypassed set tender regulations and awarded a nearly N$212 million Ondangwa airport runway phase 2 contract without going to tender to a Chinese government owned entity, China State Construction Engineering (Southern Africa).
The NAC board also awarded Aurecon- Namibia PTY Ltd a company co-owned by the personal assistant to the Founding Father Sam Nujoma, John Nauta, businesswoman and the wife of Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works and Transport responsible for Government Air Transport Services, Joe Shipepe-Kandeshi Helena Shipepe, businessman Peter Hango Elindi, Johannes Marthinus Kaber and South African nationals, Cornelius van Staden and Ferdinand Nell as the supervising consulting engineers for the same project without going to tender.
The actions by the NAC board and management resulted in the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) last month confiscating cellphones and computers belonging to the Chief Executive Officer of the parastatal Tamer El-Kallawi. ACC also confiscated cellphones and computers belonging to the parastatal’s strategic executive projects, IT and engineering, Courage Silombela, Elise Shaanika the company secretary and Lot Haifidi, the company’s legal advisor.