By Patience Nyangove
THE board of directors of Meatco and the parastatal’s CEO, Advocate Vekuii Rukoro are involved in a bitter feud that has seen the board seeking permission from the Minister of Public Enterprises Leon Jooste to suspend Rukoro, Confidente can reveal.
Confidente is reliably informed that the feud stems from what the board has viewed as alleged gross insubordination, unruly behaviour and uttering false statements on the part of Rukoro.
Confidente can also reveal that the Meatco board on Tuesday could not go ahead with Rukoro’s suspension after they failed to get permission from Jooste and ended up only informing him that his conduct will be investigated.
Jooste, Tuesday confirmed the impasse, while Meatco board chairperson, Martha Namundjebo- Tilahun said for now she had no comment on the matter.
Rukoro referred Confidente to Jooste.
According to sources at the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry privy to the matter who spoke to Confidente on condition of anonymity, the Meatco board wrote to the Minister of Agriculture John Mutorwa informing him of its intention to suspend Rukoro and chief among its reasons is insubordination.
The letters were also copied to Jooste.
Confidente is informed that the board was not happy with Rukoro after he allegedly went ahead with the convening of a Meatco members’ meeting despite a directive by the board and Ministers Mutorwa and Jooste to postpone the event.
“I write to you with reference to the above as well as the actions taken by the CEO in spite of the Ministers and board directive and recommendation to postpone the members meeting on the 12th of August 2016…. In any organisation, disciplined behaviour is essential for the well-being of the individual and the successful achievement of the organisation’s objectives. Disciplinary action implies a thorough investigation into each alleged offence, reasonable evidence of guilt and careful consideration of the circumstances of each case before such disciplinary action is taken. Such action should always be prompt, fair and firm.
“…In terms of the disciplinary code, the following acts are allegedly committed by the CEO and can be categorised under the following, as cause for institution of disciplinary action against the CEO: refusing to obey a lawful instruction given by a person in authority, insubordination by demeanour, action or word(s), disorderly behaviour, uttering false or fraudulent statements and employees may not disclose confidential information concerning the business of the company to people not in the company’s employ, nor organisation not connected therewith,” Namundjebo-Tilahun wrote. She also raised the issue of how Meatco continues to send lists of names under the guise of nominations to the producers through text messages without a board directive.
“In light of the aforesaid, the board will convene on Tuesday, 23rd August 2016 in order to reach consensus on the following possible recommendations that an investigation be called into the conduct of the CEO, that the CEO be placed on administrative leave for the period of the investigation, that the period of investigation be limited to three months and that the CEO be informed of disciplinary charges as soon as possible.”
Rukoro, Tuesday refused to comment on the matter before he referred Confidente to Jooste.
“I know nothing about that. Talk to the Minister.”
Jooste, Tuesday while confirming the matter said he is still to address the issue.
“…I have not had time to attend to this matter but we are looking into it. I sent a directive to all public enterprises in February to prohibit any suspension of CEOs or Managing Directors unless we have been consulted and approve which we will only do in extreme circumstances,” he said.
Mutorwa said he can no longer comment on the matter as he has no jurisdiction over Meatco affairs anymore.
“On a particular day this month (Tuesday) Cabinet decided on the classification of various public enterprises.
“They are three categories of parastatals: regulatory, business/ economics and financial supervisory. Meatco is under economic/business … quite a number are under the supervision of public enterprises,” he said.

Unlike their football national counterparts prolong wait on their allowances for having won the COSAFA Under-17 Cup this year, Paralympic athletes have finally been presented with their cash prizes.A meeting held at the Namibia Sports Commission (NSC)’s head office earlier today, with disgruntled athletes who yesterday staged a strike demanding their reward for having won medals at the 2015 All Africa Games in Congo, Brazzaville resolved to reward the athletes.

Yesterday, the Paralympic athletes threated to boycott the Paralympic Summer Games slated for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil early next month if no payment is authorized.Speaking to Confidente on the outcome, NSC Chief Administrator, Walter Haseb, said the meeting resolved to reward athletes as follows, N$ 60 000 (gold), N$ 40 000 (silver) and N$ 20 000 for bronze.

As for the Rio 2016 incentives, the chief administrator said athletes were promised monetary incentives should they bring home medals from Rio.The team is expect to leave on Monday.

RURAL and Urban minister Sophia Shaningwa has denied that she forced the Windhoek municipality to sell seven plots to one company, even though the council wanted to sell only two plots to the entity.

At a press conference this afternoon, the Minister said the article carried by The Namibian is devoid of any truth.

She said the Windhoek municipality council received an application from Shililifa Property Developers CC to purchase erf 1117 Wanaheda in terms of its resolution No.366/11/2013 and resolved to sell the said erf to Shililifa on conditions.

She also said the decision to sell the land was made by the council in 2013 before she was minister of urban.

”It is unfair that after three years, council now appears to want to change its earlier decision after they comfortably directed and allowed the developer to incur costs through surveying, subdivision and engineering services,” she said, adding that Shililifa created seven erven at its own costs and it is on that basis she granted approval to the sale of the seven plots.

Platinum Stars coach Cavin Johnson says the injury to veteran Henrico Botes, played a role in his club’s 2-0 loss to Chippa United in the MTN8 quarter-finals.

Botes was forced off in the 34th minute as Sipho Senne took the striker’s place at Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Saturday.

According to KickOff.com Dikwena were undone by goals either side of the break from Rhulani Manzini and Menzi Masuku in Rustenburg.

“It did change a lot because Henrico gives you the effort upfront,” Johnson told the club’s website. “He gives you the effort especially in the fact that he brings in all the other players into play. There’s no way he is going to give up in a tackle. He gets in and gets up and carries on again. We lost that bit of effort in the game.”

The former SuperSport United boss hopes to keep his men active in the FIFA break ahead of Stars’ next league clash with Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium on September 14.

“It’s a bad break. You have got to stay in the competition to stay active. We have got to find different ways of playing now in order to stay competitive. If we do that we will be okay when we play against Kaizer Chiefs in two weeks‘ time.”

He added: “They are professionals. They have to come to the fore and say you know what if I did x, y and z, I would have been better. Hopefully we are able to get it right and shine against Chiefs.”

A homecoming for any athlete who has appeared at an Olympics is special but for five who competed at the Rio Olympics, the place they formerly called home was the vast refugee camp at Kakuma in Kenya.
They returned to a heroes’ welcome at the camp Monday, with one sign reading: “You are gold medal winners in our eyes.” It followed an equally rapturous reception at Nairobi airport.
The UN refugee agency, the UNHCR, said the athletes will stay among family friends in the camp for a week before returning to their training camp in the Nairobi suburbs.
The camp holds more than 180,000 people, refugees who have fled fighting in places like South Sudan.
Beacon of hope
Sport appears to be one of the few things that gives hope to those living in such harsh conditions, something noted by the International Olympic Committee. The IOC created a £2 million training fund to help take refugee athletes to Rio — the first to appear at an Olympic Games.
The 10-strong team that competed under the Olympic flag at Rio certainly touched the hearts of many across the world.
A giant mural dedicated to the stateless refugee team originally from South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia and Syria appeared on the streets of Rio.
And who could forget the smile of 18-year-old Yusra Mardini after winning her 100-meter butterfly heat? She swam for Syria in the short-course world championships in 2012 but was forced to swim for her life while trying to flee the conflict there. Her boat capsized off the Greek coast.
‘Highlight was meeting champions’
Five of her team mates grew up in Kakuma before joining a track and field project set up by former Kenyan Olympic marathon runner Tegla Loroupe.
Yiech Pur Biel, a 21-year-old refugee from South Sudan, was chosen by Loroupe’s foundation, and, despite having no shoes at the camp, ran in the 800 meters in Rio.
The athletes were greeted at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta airport by friends, family and a troupe of drummers from Burundi, and it’s where Biel told of his joy at mixing with the world’s best athletes.
“The highlight was meeting champions and competing with champions,” he said on the United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHCR).
“But we have also shown the world refugees doing something very good, so that people know refugees for who we are,” he said.
Flight from war
Anjelina Nadai Lohalith, who ran in the 1,500 meters, fled South Sudan more than 15 years ago and has not seen her family since, the UNHCR reports.
But she said the Rio experience has made her realize that she can achieve any objective.
“Meeting people from around the world was the best thing about Rio for me. Now I am focused only on finding a way to see my family again,” she said on the website.
Ahead of the games, 800-meter runner Rose Nathike Lokonyen told of her flight from the brutal civil war in South Sudan, first on foot and then squashed in the back of a truck. She made it out alive, grew up in Kakuma and then joined the training camp.
“Life was so much hard compared to training in this place. The life in Kakuma camp was so hard,” she said.
Olympic Refugee Team athletes were treated as heroes on their return to Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya.
The UNHCR says the athletes will now return to the training camp in a town north of the Kenyan capital Nairobi and all wanted to continue competing.
In an interview with the UNHCR, Yiech Pur Biel speaks of his hopes for the future and of his love of running. “I can continue to achieve or leave a legacy, to leave a legacy for other people,” he said.
Anjelina Nadai Lohalith added: “I will continue with sport and at least I have to make my future bright when I work hard because right now I am looking forward to support my family and my siblings.
The African athletes will continue to train at the Tegla Loroupe camp and, according to the UNHCR, prepare for possible participation in the World Championships in 2017.
Marco Lembo, the UNHCR external relations officer in Kenya, who is working on making the athlete program permanent, told CNN: “We believe this is just the beginning of a long process which will allow for refugee athletes to participate in the Olympics.
“They represent more than 60 million people. It’s the symbolism of this that is so important. We hope to expand this program to work with more refugees and in more disciplines. We need to ensure long term sustainability.”
-CNN

By John Tuerijama

LAST week, a team comprising primary school boys and girls left for Botswana by bus to compete in the annual Confederation of School Sport Associations of Southern Africa (COSSASA) Ball Games.
The Games bring together representative teams of primary school boys and girls who compete in football, netball and volleyball. Namibia finished third behind Botswana and Zimbabwe.
Just as quietly as they left the country, the Namibian team also sneaked back quietly, without much fanfare. Not even a media statement to announce to taxpayers how their money was spent in Gaborone.
But that is not the issue. The issue for me is that we should use these junior events to start laying a new foundation for our sports. All over the show, we hear complaints about the development structures that are not in place and how lack of funds is hampering sports development.
The fact that we are able to send Under-13 teams to represent the country testifies to the fact that there is money somewhere to develop sports. Mind you, Namibia hosted the COSSASA Athletics at the coast earlier this year.
We need to lay emphasis on these events which is the perfect opportunity for the country to re-establish itself as a key sports nation, especially among its Southern African Development Community (SADC) peers.
To become world beaters is a distant dream that will only materialise with serious investments in athletes, coaches, administrators and facilities. The fact that countries are raking in medals at events such as the Olympics is a direct result of their investment in their sports.
Namibia, always struggling with funds, should focus a lot of its energies on the regional events for youngsters. The seniors have had their time and have delivered next to nothing, save for a few codes such as football and rugby which have lately won the regional and continental championships, respectively.
Our young boys and girls are the future for our sports. We need to treat them with good care and provide them with all the necessary technical support that they and their mentors require.
If Namibia wants to be a medal contender at the Olympics in 20 years from now then an investment in the 13 year olds should start now.

By Donna Collins

EVER since the Municipality handed over a chunk of ground to the Drift Spin & Drags Motorclub (DSD) this year for the development of the ‘Swakop Spin City’ facility, spinning at the coast has reached a new high.
This past Saturday saw a turnout of around 15 entries entertain some 1 300 action hungry spectators, with a show that was described as “incredible”, bringing just the right amount of burnouts, dare-devil antics, nail biting stunts and billowing smoke to blow your mind.
Whilst most of the spinners were represented from the coastal towns, there were also visiting spinners from Okahandja and Rehoboth who came to enjoy the day, with a show that pumped from mid-day to sunset.
All the coastal spinning and drifting guys who fall under DSD Motorclub are affiliated to the NMSF (Namibian Motorsport Federation). This was the third event the club hosted at ‘Swakop Spin City’, which they established earlier this year, and was “the best ever”.
Speaking to Chris Van Rooyen, club chairperson, there has been a noticeable growth in active spinners, since Swakop Spin City opened in March, and with already three events hosted, they are providing much needed motorsport entertainment for the public, plus a top class facility for the sport.
He explained that the spinning pitch has been interlocked and designed with two ‘kitchens’ on either end, a comprehensive tyre safety barrier, safety fencing all around, an inside pit area for the cars, plus there is a DJ booth, mobile ablutions, fire extinguishers, marshals, and everything organised on the day to make it a huge success.
“We have brought a higher standard to spinning in Namibia, and only registered spinners may enter the arena,” said van Rooyen, who believes that safety precautions are necessary as well as adhering to regulations set down by the NMSF.
He said that many of the coastal guys are preparing their cars for the big Kind of Spin event being hosted in Windhoek on October 1, followed by another big spin event in Okahandja a month later. The DSD Motorclub is planning their year-end spinning show on December 17.
Two forces to be reckoned with from the coast are 16-year- old Namib High school boy Robert Arendse a.k.a Boyster, who started out driving his dad’s car at the age of 14, and has spent the past two years honing his skills on the Namibian spinning circuit.
The other guy to watch out for is Jonathan Goliath, who is also making big waves.
“And all I can is Windhoek spinners is watch out, because here we come,” said van Rooyen.

By Faith Haushona-Kavamba

IT was recently brought to my attention on social media that a large number of women are busy loading their bikini bodies for summer.
Every other post is of someone in the gym, at boot camp or drinking some get-thin-quick drink all in preparation for a slimmer figure for the beach or swimming pool.
Obviously there is nothing wrong with trying to get into shape, even I’m looking for a gym (that is wine friendly because drinking water while on the treadmill is not life), but I can’t help but worry about some of the messages it sends to the little ones.
Kids who have barely replaced their milk teeth are falling into this trap, where they see their favourite celebrities or idols dramatically dropping three dress sizes and they want to look like that.
On a daily basis we are over-stimulated with images of frighteningly thin women, while the more curvy and full-figured women seem to have fallen out of favour, unless of course they have the exaggerated derriere (where the leg to thigh ratio just don’t add up) and rock hard flat abs like Kim Kardashian or Nicki Minaj.
I remember being on the beach in Swakopmund a while ago, in my bikini frolicking in those ice-cold Atlantic waters like everyone else. I walked past a couple of Himba ladies who had a mouthful to say about my high-waist bikini bottom. Assuming I couldn’t understand they went on to talk about how they thought someone with an ass my size should not be in a bikini and should be ashamed.
I was shocked that they of all people were trying to body shame me. It’s not like I went to the supermarket in a thong.
Then very recently someone three times bigger than me told me to lose weight, I smirked and walked away because that was the pot calling the kettle black.
Is that why I’m signing up for the gym? No. I just want to be able to jog for five seconds without feeling like I’m bleeding internally or fainting. I’m just trying to be healthy, be able to run away from the thankless thugs and thieves that roam the streets of this city.
Unfortunately my views of self-love and learning to love your body do not seem to be very popular with the children I encounter. They are constantly talking about being on diets or wanting hormones and whatever other nonsensical remedies they read their idols using to lose weight.
When I was in high school, I dreamt about going to Hogwarts and finding the trigger to my magic powers, not which remedy I would be drinking to lose weight.
It’s time celebrities start talking to their young fans, it is time to teach them about self-love and not only make an appearance when they are promoting their latest projects. We do not want to breed a nation of eating disorders, do we?
So what if you have love handles and thunder thighs? That does not mean you contribute any less to the human race. As far as we know, you only have one life to live, do not waste it on trivial matters that do nothing to build your character or add value to your life.

By Johannes Hangula

THE FNB Namibia Restaurant Week kicked off last Tuesday and will run until September 11. This is the second year that the festival is being hosted to show support towards the local hospitality industry.
Madri Frewer, marketing manager at FNB said, “Last year this was an innovative first for Namibia and a successful gastronomic festival and we are thus proud to support it again in 2016. The FNB Restaurant Week is aimed at contributing to uplifting customer service in the hospitality industry and through our support has enabled highly skilled trainers to come to Namibia and train our local restaurant industry on various aspects of the hospitality environment, from overall customer service, to chefs’ training and specialised training. It is all about uplifting and highlighting the customer service industry in Namibia, which we know can benefit from such training.”
This year a number of exciting changes are introduced, including the voting categories, which differ from last year and is contested by Mugg & Bean the Grove, La Brocante, The Joy of Food, Krisjans Bistro, Teapot Coffee Shop, Lemon Tree Restaurant, Cafe Dulce Megabuild, Mojoes,Toulmins, Jonno’s Bistro and Fork n Nice; the restaurant category that is contested by Kubata, Fresh N Wild Utopia, Crazy Mamas, Casa Forno Restaurant, The Fish, Deli, NICE, Garnish Windhoek, Garnish Swakopmund, The Olive, Welwitschia, Haiku Sushi Bar, Xwama , Brewer & Butcher, Farmhouse Deli, Ocean Cellar, Bauernstube Family, Corner of 62nd, Roof of Africa, Daisho Sushi and Outjo Farmhouse Restaurant and fine dining category is contested by The Weinberg Craft Kitchen, Hotel Heinitzburg, while better prizes for winning establishments are also up for grabs.
“Restaurants have also amended their special FNB Restaurant Week menu’s to compliment the industry’s drive for fine dining during this week. Further – this year, those in the cafe/bistro category are highlighted as open only during breakfast and lunch, restaurants only for lunch and dinner and those in the fine dining category only for dinner. Lastly – we have added the QR coding on the mobile app for voting purposes, which means you have to be in the restaurant to scan the code and then vote,” she said.
Frewer explained that it was up to the visitors of the restaurants to share their experience with all and to rate the restaurant that they have frequented. “All of us should work together to ensure that restaurants know what they did well and where they can still improve. Only if we know about our strengths and weaknesses, can we improve upon these.”
Restaurant-goers are encouraged to sample as many menus from the participating restaurants between August 23 and September 11. During that week the restaurants will also offer special restaurant menus with a variety of prices.
Download the FNB Restaurant Week app, find participating restaurants and view the menus for the duration of FNB Restaurant Week.

By Staff Reporter

OSHI-Deutsch, the film production that narrates the story of Namibian children who were raised in German Democratic Republic (GDR) after the Cassinga massacre will be screened on September 7 and 10 in Windhoek.
The project is a joint venture proposed by Project Leader, Anja Deu of the Osnabruck Theatre in Germany in 2012.
He met with acclaimed playwright and director Sandy Rudd and proposed the idea of a joint production with the College of the Arts (COTA) and Osnabruck theatre to present the story of the ‘GDR children’. The production was directed by Rudd and Gernot Grünewald.
It was funded by the TURN Fund of the German Federal Cultural Foundation supported by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Goethe Institute.
During the liberation struggle, SWAPO solicited humanitarian assistance from around the globe, which they got in the form of education, health, arms and funds.
Between 1960 and 1980, over 2 000 young Namibians were offered tuition and a safety in one of SWAPO allied countries.
After the Cassinga massacre (May 1978) SWAPO organised for children to be removed from the SWAPO-Refugee camps to go and live in GDR for safety. On September 12 1979, Jagdschloss Bellin, a hunting castle in Bellin, a village 10 kilometres south of Güstrow (today in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern) was identified to be a safety home for the children.
The GDR saw the education of these children as one of their contributions to world revolution. They went to school, learned German like their mother tongue, and grew up in a German life of style. German and Namibian teachers tried their level best to sustain the Namibian culture with the teaching of traditional dances, Oshiwambo songs, and traditional food recipes. Few months after the fall of the Berlin wall in November 1989, Namibia attained its independence. The event culminated in the repatriation of Namibian children and teachers from GDR to Namibia.
“In February 2015 at COTA Theatre School, the two directors met up with over 15 GDR kids, interviewed them and came up with a concept for the production. The main thrust of the production would be focused on life in the castle and the Namibian story would focus on the stories of the youngsters coming home. The process was extremely difficult and painful at times as the story is ongoing,” a statement from Rudd explained.
The statement noted that some stories are heart-breaking, while some are triumphant over adversity and most were a sad reflection of those times. “Racism, intolerance and narrow-mindedness were the order of the day. In the end, the story is told the story in a disciplined docu-drama style. The story is an important and extremely interesting part of Namibian History,” the statement said.
The show will be held at 11h00 and 19h00 on September 2 and at 14h00 on September 3 at the Oshakati Multi- Purpose Youth Centre. These shows will be free of charge. Then the show will be screened at 19h00 at the National Theatre of Namibia (NTN) on September 7 and 10, with tickets selling at N$50. The show for schools will be held on September 8 and 9 at 10h00.

SPRING has sprung, the song has been sung and the brethren court (of fashion) is about to reveal the season’s trend.
It is the season to be bold and bright, after the grey and overwhelmingly drab winter. This is the time when one sees fashionistas experimenting with colour in preparation for summer, so one should not be surprised when they see nauseating neon colours.
Unfortunately, in a bid to avoid monotony, most people try to avoid the one thing that should help them usher in the season, which is florals.
One often hears talks about how florals have been overdone and how boring they are, however fashion stylist, Anthea Malgas begs to differ.
“Around this time people try to avoid florals because they have been overdone, but I think this is the time to embrace them. The trick is finding out which florals work for you and how to wear them,” she advised.
Malgas added that pairing the florals with solid colours and different textures of fabric will breathe new life into tired florals.
The mistake that most people make is assuming that they should wear florals from head to toe, with flower inspired accessories, but all that just makes them look like a giant Venus flytrap.
Floral pants are not easy to get away with, however if you have a pair that you have been dying to wear, try pairing them with a lace top, the texture gives it a classy yet edgy look.
If you have a sheer loose fitting blouse, you can pair that with a floral pencil skirt.
Instead of adorning yourself from head to toe in florals, you can wear your florals in the form of accessories. If you are wearing a solid black maxi dress, you can divide it (for lack of a better term) up by wearing a floral belt on your waist, this also aids in creating an hour-glass figure. Other accessories can be floral bracelets, earrings, light scarfs, chunky necklaces or head bands.
Florals are not always the print on fabric, it can also be texture. Floral lace or crochet clothing items in floral pattern can also be an alternative if you want to be subtle with your florals.
Floral patterns are usually printed on white, military green or brown colours, actually any earthy colours that highlight the floral pattern. However, those can sometimes be depressing and gives one the feeling that if you’ve seen one floral, you have seen them all.
Try floral prints in bright colours, these are your lime greens, or your bubble-gum pink or blue, any colour you would typically not expect to find florals printed on.
If you are feeling particularly bold, try mixing florals. Try matching large prints with smaller ones, you can wear a top with small delicate flowers, with pants or skirt with a larger floral pattern.
The possibilities are endless where florals are concerned; dare to be different this spring.

By Faith Haushona-Kavamba

WHEN the first of the Barbershop film threequel first hit the screens, it was to be a resounding success because it resonated with a lot of people.
Everyone knows that in the townships barbershops and salons are like news broadcasters, if you want to know what is happening in your community, the barbershop/ salon is the place to go.
Barbershop had a familiarity that most people could relate and loved, it mimicked a typical barbershop where friendships were made and discourse on serious matters was held.
Unfortunately the latest instalment of the threequel, Barbershop: The Next Cut proves to be half-baked version of its original self, relying heavily on black stereotypes to keep it afloat.
Director Malcolm D. Lee and his star-studded cast of Ice Cube, Cedric the Entertainer, Common, Regina Hall, Eve, Anthony Anderson, Tyga and Nicki Minaj, to name a few, did nothing to elevate the half-baked script. Not to mention that Tyga and Minaj’s acting skills were abysmal.
In Barbershop: The Next Cut, the crew is faced having to close down the shop due to the escalating violence in Chicago. On top of that, each of the characters has to deal with their own personal issues, such as how to raise a child in that kind of environment and infidelity.
A majority of the scenes are shot in the barbershop, which is understandable because it’s where they work but it is unstimulating and visually exhausting.
It is evident that the intention was begin a discourse on poignant issues being experience by African- Americans, especially the cases of police brutality and senseless killing of black people. It is also meant to give a behind the scenes look of how African-Americans themselves are affected by these issues, as well as their thoughts.
Unfortunately Lee does not manage to completely follow through and the film comes off as half-baked, the sub-plots (e.g. the romance/ infidelity) also come across as forced and not well thought out. They do not seem to gel in effortlessly with the main plot.
Lee merely scratched on the surface of the issue and regurgitated information that has been dominating social media over the years. They started really important conversations, unfortunately the did not finish them nor did they offer a new perspective on them.
Unsurprisingly, Utkarsh Ambudkar’s character Raja, was made to be the voice of opposition on some of the issues, presumably because he is Indian.
Ice Cube (who also wears the hat of a produce for the threequel) and his team would have saved a pretty penny had they just done a TED Talk, as opposed to the long winded film that felt like a lullaby.
Fortunately it was not a complete bust because there were a few laughs in between, which make the film easier to watch.
If you haven’t seen any of the Barbershop films, you will certainly enjoy this one, but if you have, you are not missing out on anything by not watching it.

By Faith Haushona-Kavamba

THE fight between women and their unruly hair has been raging on since time immemorial.
The goal is to tame these often feisty extensions of themselves and turn them into their crowns.
Urged by hair product manufacturers to chemically treat their natural hair (further perpetuating the notion that natural hair is undesirable), most women give up the fight and often resort to relaxing their natural hair or weaving in extensions of much softer hair that is easy to manage.
However, there has been a paradigm shift with more women leaning towards embracing their natural hair and this is made easier by natural hair expos where all women from different walks for life can come together and embrace their natural hair.
Keeping with this trend, the second annual Natural Hair and Beauty Expo Namibia will be held on September 10.
The brainchild of Sharon Kasanda-Emvula, Maliza Mukungu, Zodidi Gaseb, Patience Mukandi and Kumbi Short, the expo is aimed at to learning, celebrating and purchasing products to stimulate the growth of natural hair.
The brilliant minds behind the expo were specially equipped to spearhead the expo as they all work with natural hair individually.
“In Africa, Western concepts of beauty dominate our screens, our magazines and our billboards. Natural African hair has taken a back seat in the flooding of our media and has had a ripple effect in how we perceive beauty. The expo is an annual event that marks a very important shift in how African beauty is viewed, not only in Namibia but in Africa as a whole,” Short said, explaining the drive for their expo.
She added that in the past beauty standards were defined for African women, and this was further perpetuated by racial segregation where opportunities were reserved for those with straighter hair and lighter skin. In a bid to live up to these standards, women forgot how to care for their natural hair.
“We are starting to appreciate our hair and the wide range of skin tones we have. This is more than just a phase, it is an awakening to the natural beauty that we have been given. We can be so much more creative with our natural hair. When you think about it, an African woman is not limited to one hairstyle for the month. Even women with dreadlocks can be very creative with styling,” Short stressed.
The natural hair expo was a resounding success in its maiden year, so it was inevitable that it would become an annual event. Its success lies in that it focuses on creating bespoke products for African women.
While organising the event came with a few challenges, the organisers were not deterred as this year’s expo promises to be better than its predecessor.
“We will have discussions and debates about natural hair/natural hair care; our hair and beauty product vendors have more products than you could imagine; there will be performances from local artists; there will be a wide-range of food and snacks on sale and there will be a prize draw for hampers sponsored by our vendors. It really is a lovely family day out with plenty of space for children to play and for picnics,” Short noted.
The expo will also be a great opportunity for attendees to support local businesses as a majority of them manufacture their products locally.
Short said that she believes that the natural hair market is growing and there is room for more players across the entire natural hair and beauty value chain. This is especially because there are many product junkies who are willing to try out the latest thing on the market. Her only advice to the new players was that they should be honest about what they are marketing and not try to dupe people because lying never ends well.
“I wish I could narrow it down to just one thing that our guests will gain from the expo. I suppose if I were to list something vitally important it would be enlightenment. In other words, they would have received new and useful information with regards to natural hair care, and would therefore be bolder about embracing their God-given beauty,” she concluded.
Tickets for the expo are available at Computicket for N$150.00 and free of charge for children under 16. The expo will take place from 10h00 to 17h00 on September 10 at Eros Primary School.

ESTATE administration is a job that perhaps a few people are not prepared for, but not Namukoto Kristofina Imalwa who on a daily basis deals with estates of the deceased, managing and disbursing the assets amongst others. In an interview with Confidente recently, Namukoto displayed passion of helping those left behind by their loved ones ensuring that they get a fair share of the deceased’s estate. It is however not always a walk in the park especially when dealing with cases of families from various cultures who believe that the deceased’s assets should not be given to the deceased’s partners and children.
Give us a snapshot of who you are?
My name is Namukoto Kristofina Imalwa well known as Kiito. I completed my grade 12 in 2010 and furthered my studies in 2011 at International Training College Lingua where I obtained a Diploma in Office Administration. I did my internship with Sibeya & Partners Legal Practitioners as an office administrator while at the same time I pursued a Certificate in Administration of Estate at UNISA. In 2014 I was employed as an immigration officer in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration. From 2016 I started working as an estate administrator at Tipara Estate. I am currently pursuing a Diploma in Management in Accountancy at Southern Business School.
Briefly tell us about your upbringing?
I come from a hardworking family. Growing up I was exposed to my parents’ hard work which motivated me. My father is an agronomist and my mother is a lawyer. They taught me to be honest, encouraged me to always have integrity and not to shy away from challenges that may come my way. They also taught me the beauty of working independently thus self-employment is my passion.
What triggered your interest in estate administration?
When I was doing my internship at Sibeya & Partner Legal Practitioners as an office administrator, I learnt that most of the beneficiaries were children. These children needed to be assisted in order to receive what their deceased parents had left behind. Also there aren’t enough estate administrators in the country so I chose to follow the path in estate administration.
In a nutshell, what is estate administration and how does it work?
Estate administration is the collection and management of the estate of the deceased, paying any debts and taxes, and distributing property and money to the heirs of the deceased. When a person dies his/her estate is reported to the Master of the High Court. An executor will then be nominated and will be responsible for collecting all the assets left behind by the deceased.
T h e Administration of Estates works as follows;
• T h e f a m i l y reports the estate to the Master of High Court.
• T h e family needs to determine whether the deceased’s estate is Intestate, Testate or Insolvency. Intestate means that a deceased dies without leaving a will behind. Testate is when a deceased left a will behind. Insolvent is when the deceased estate is insolvent, in other words the estate is bankrupt.
•The Master of High Court normally issues two letters which are Letter of Authority and Letter of Executorship. The Letter of Authority is for estates which are below the N$100 000. This letter is then issued by the Master of High Court or at any Magistrates office.
•The Letter of Executorship is issued where the value of the estate is above N$100 000; and is issued by the Master of High Court.
What do you like and dislike about your job?
I enjoy working with people and helping them. It is quite interesting to deal with people of different cultures when it comes to the issue of administration of estates.
What are the challenges you face when it comes to dealing with culture and the absence of wills?
The major challenges in dealing with administration of an estate include that a majority of people lack the understanding of how the administration should be dealt with. It is even more difficult in certain cultures in the absence of a will because the family thinks the widow and children are not entitled to the estate.
Why it is important for people to draw up wills?
A will is very important, because when the deceased dies, his/her rights to nominate whoever they trust must be respected. The trusted person will then be able to handle assets that is left behind by the deceased. Whatever assets that the deceased had will be divided to the widow and children. It is very crucial to leave a will so that the wishes of the deceased person are fully complied with and to avoid chaos between the families.
What advice do you have for fellow women and the youth in particular?
I’d like to encourage anyone not to give up on their dreams. If you have a dream to become an independent woman or youth, by all means forge ahead. I believe that one can be successful in life if they take their education seriously. Even if you drop out of school at a tender age, don’t be discouraged to achieve something in life. Never give up in life. As Namibian youth we need to know that we should all believe in ourselves. Let us not wait for the Government to create jobs for us, let us meet them half way. Our parents have fought for us and for our independence therefore it is for us to liberate ourselves through education. Start believing in yourself to achieve what you want in life.
Just what do you do for a little fun?
I like to socialise with my friends and I enjoy travelling.
For more on Namukoto’s journey to help educate the public on the importance of the estate administration, visit her Facebook page Deceased Estates.

By Eliaser Ndeyanale

A group of disgruntled youths from Ogongo constituency last week Wednesday petitioned the constituency councillor Wilhelm Iiyambo to speed up development in the area.
According to self-proclaimed constituency youth forum leader Samuel Shaanika who handed the petition to Iyambo, the petition is a call for action for Iiyambo to support the demands by the youths that should guide and facilitate meaningful youth development in the constituency.
“Your presence in the constituency must be felt instead of running your personal businesses of selling guavas and transporting people from Ogongo to Outapi. How would you feel if the voting man dethrones you because of your inability to deliver the services you promised during your campaigns?” read the petition.
Boasting about the ‘courage to petition the councillor’, the youth challenged, Iiyambo to tell them why capital projects announced 10 to 15 years ago slated for the constituency have not been completed or commissioned yet. They also cited among other matters, proper road network, need for a clinic, electricity and a secondary school, saying they would pass a vote of no confidence on him should he fail to implement the projects.
“Electricity is a basic need in everybody’s livelihood but under your administration came with loopholes, corruption and greediness thus we have few questions to pose (sic),” the group wrote in its petition.
Contacted for comment on Monday, Iiyambo gave his side before saying he would pass on the petition to the relevant authorities.
“Look, what we do as regional councillors is that we look at the needs of the constituencies and submit them to the line ministries to address them. We don’t get budgets from Government as these people perceive,” he said.
Iiyambo, who has been councillor for six years now, further added that he will present the petition to the Constituency Development Committee (CDC) saying that he could not provide the answers alone.
“If we give them the answers as they are asking, what are they going to do with them? These people are calling themselves a youth forum but we don’t know them.
These people are from the same family and one can really see that they have no knowledge of what they are talking about,” he said, adding that the petition was not written by a group of people because there are apparently phrases like “I personally” and that it had only been signed by one person.

By Confidente Reporter

THE Oshikuku town council will sell business and residential properties by way of private transaction to businessmen for less than N$10 000.
According to an advertisement that was placed in the media recently, anyone wishing to object against the proposed transactions as set out by the council, may do so in writing by submitting written objections before September 19.
Businessman and chairperson of the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry at Okalongo, Antonius Lungameni is among those who could buy the land if there are no objections. Lungameni wants erf 1263 measuring 399 square meters for N$7 980. Musician Albert Uulenga aka Mushe may get erf 1286 for N$8 720.
Former Oshikuku town councillor Salom Hidulika will get erf 987 measuring 9708 square metres for N$58 248.
Oshikuku town council chief executive officer Julia Nakale says that the town council is not selling land at a cheap price but that land in Oshikuku is affordable.
“Our plots are affordable and people need land to build houses”.
This followed a call early this year by Urban and Rural Development Minister Sophia Shaningwa urged local authority councils that price of housing should be drastically reduced to make it affordable for the poor, enabling them to put food on the table after paying their monthly home loan instalments. She then instructed local authorities to ensure that low income earners across the country do not pay more than N$500 per month for housing.
“Low earners should no longer buy houses for thousands of dollars per month. As leaders you know the incomes of your people so make decisions based on that and ensure the houses are affordable for them,” she said at a consultative retreat she held with regional governors, chairpersons of regional and village councils, mayors and chief executive officers.
She also said once housing prices are reduced, citizens would be able to pay their bonds and feed their families instead of spending most of their income on rent or home loans as is the case now.

By Marianne Nghidengwa

OVER 400 households of the Twahangana community in Katutura’s Greenwell Matongo have been left without ablution facilities after a community toilet they had been using for several years was recently demolished.
The toilet was constructed on an erven that the owner about four days ago reclaimed leaving a majority of the community including pregnant women and children to either relive themselves in plastic bags that are discarded in garbage bins or in the open. The community had also been using the toilet to discard dirty water that is now thrown on the streets where children play, leaving a filthy sight and terrible smell in unhygienic circumstances.
To make matters worse, a community tap was constructed next to the toilet despite its unhygienic conditions over the years risking disease-causing germs to live and breed. However, City of Windhoek’s corporate communications manager, Joshua Amukugo said that while the council sympathises with those affected, putting up new toilets and repairing others is a vicious cycle because residents vandalise them.
“We continue to try our level best to address the issue of ablution facilities in informal settlements but the mindset of residents in those areas is something else. We put up toilets and fix others but come tomorrow we are back to square one because people vandalise the toilets while some just don’t use them properly to the dissatisfaction of those living in close proximity of the toilets. We also came up with arrangements to task certain individuals with toilet keys so that they lock and unlock the toilets but people got angry. It has not been easy but at the same time we are not giving up.”
For the community though, the situation is unacceptable especially after years of fighting for improved living conditions and the provision of basic municipal services such as water and electricity for each household when collectively they bought the piece of land from council nearly 17 years ago. “We are tired of living in such dirty conditions. It is not healthy. We still do not have water in our homes after so many years of independence and voting hoping for change. This is not the way things are supposed to be. Perhaps one should also note that this community only had four toilets with taps next to them, but they have not been functional for a very long time. Imagine collecting water from a tap that is located right next to blocked toilets for years? This is the water we drink, cook our meals with and use for other household chores.”
Another resident said, “Our situation right now is unimaginable and although we talked to our councillors, nothing ever came from it. It’s difficult living like animals relieving ourselves in the open or in plastic bags on a daily basis. It’s unhygienic and dangerous especially for the children who play on the streets. It is a matter we have stressed so many times over the last 15 years or so yet we find ourselves in this situation.”
Contacted for comment, Samora Machel’s constituency councillor, Fanuel Shivute said that he has been engaging the Twahangana community since he came into office last year to better understand their plight.
“I am aware of the many problems that community faces including toilets and water. I am busy with them and recently met with their committee to iron out some of these issues. I am yet to meet the entire community so that I hear from them too before I approach the City of Windhoek. It is an old community that has been faced with so many problems and a lack or services,” Shivute said.
When Confidente visited three communities in the constituency recently, residents there face similar problems, living in deplorable conditions without basic amenities. They said that they continue to wait in vain for leaders to address their plight. The communities are also mostly plagued by hordes of unemployed people who often resort to abusing alcohol while others try to make ends meet by selling various products such as fruits and cooked meat outside their shacks.

By Hileni Nembwaya

THE Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Sophia Shaningwa has announced that the mass housing development programme has indeed resumed and is on the move after it was put on hold for nearly a year.
This time the central government will be the driving force.
The multi-billion-dollar housing programme was launched in 2013 by former President Hifikepunye Pohamba but was suspended due to a number of challenges.
Shaningwa made the announcement at a public information sharing session at Ongwediva on Sunday.
“I am now happy to inform you that the implementation of the programme has resumed with the central government as the driver. The programme will accelerate the delivery of serviced land for housing and affordable housing stock especially for the ultra-low and middle-income members of the society,” said Shaningwa.
She said that during the current financial year Government’s effort is to complete the commenced – but-uncompleted houses as well as to handover the completed ones to the beneficiaries.
“We have set up a revolving fund into which the proceeds from the sale of the houses are to be deposited and to be used to finance the programme. So those who have benefited under the programme have a duty to fulfil their loan obligations. We are cognizant that as a Government alone we will never have all the resources that we need to build the number of houses that we plan to build in order to address the backlog,” she noted.
The Minister further indicated that the Government is faced with a huge housing backlog despite various development initiatives that have been put in place and are being implemented.
She said that the Build Together project is one of the initiatives that have been re-activated to reduce the housing backlog to assist mostly, the low income earners.
Shaningwa however continued to blame the initial failure of the project due to misuse of funds and poor workmanship.
The programme was meant to build more than 10 000 houses from 2014 until 2016 at a cost of N$2.9 billion.
Currently, Namibia has a nationwide housing backlog of more than 140 000.

By Confidente Reporter

THE Otjiwarongo Magistrate’s Court recently rejected a bail application of a 50 year-old man suspected of raping and impregnating a 14 year-old girl. The man, Paulus Iyambo was again remanded in custody to allow further investigations during his second court appearance.
Confidente last week reported that Iyambo’s arrest late last month was a result of immense pressure on the police by the community, approximately three months after the teen gave birth to a healthy baby girl. The minor had given birth via C-section in April and will return to school next year.
Residents in the town at the time told Confidente that since the matter came under the public spotlight last month, the minor’s family has reportedly been under immense political pressure to settle the issue mutually pointing out that Iyambo, a fire brigade officer is married to Swapo councillor and personal assistant of Otjozondjupa Governor – Sonia Iyambo.
To complicate matters, 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.
Sonia last week laughed at allegations of alleged political pressure on the matter and 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.”