WINDHOEK DENVER ISAACS

The Bank of Namibia (BoN) has announced that it has ordered improved N$10 and N$20 notes to be issued, after completing its own investigation into the quality of the new notes.
BoN governor Ipumbu Shiimi yesterday confirmed that the notes, part of a new series that entered into circulation in March last year, were found to have been printed on sub-par paper.
The bank in July last year notified the public that it was concerned over the fact that the diamond shape featured on some new N$10 and N$20 notes became cracked after multiple folding or handling.
It also noted a general question of quality in the two denominations, which was not the case for N$50, N$100 and N$200 notes of the same series.
The investigation entailed engaging independent international currency experts and subjecting all the new banknotes to extensive independent laboratory tests, Shiimi said.
The cause of the trouble, he added, was attributed to technical weaknesses in the paper used for the specific two denominations .
Standard industry tests conducted on the notes when they were printed, he said, could not pick up the fault.
Following the bank's investigation, Shiimi said, the technical specifications of the paper used for the two denominations were improved.
As these specifications are the responsibility of the printing company, the improvements, he said, were being implemented at no extra cost to the central bank.
As an additional precaution to enhance durability, it was also decided to move the diamond shape feature outside the normal folding area of the notes, Shiimi said.
The bank, he said, would inform the public when the improved notes are to be issued, noting that those N$10 and N$20 notes currently in circulation, remain legal tender.
A limited quantity of the improved banknotes will be issued for public testing before these officially go into circulation.
The public is once again assured that the security features of all banknotes remain resilient to counterfeiting. It remains important, however, for members of the public to continue paying attention to the basic security features in order to detect any possible counterfeits, the BoN governor said.

WINDHOEK- SPORT REPORTER
Namibia will meet Malawi for the second time this year when the countries face off in Blantyre tomorrow in a Group F 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier match, which is scheduled to start at 13:30 local time.
The match will be the first time that Swedish national, Roger Palmgren leads the Brave Warriors in a competitive game, having previously led the team to a 0-0 draw against Zambia in an international friendly.
According to the Namibia Football Association (NFA) president John Muinjo the players that were part of the 2013 Bidvest Namibia Cup final on Saturday night flew out to Malawi on Sunday.
The NFA president also confirmed that the foreign-based trio of Lazarus Kaimbi, Tangeni Shipahu and Manfred Starke have joined up with the team in Blantyre.
Assistant Team Manager, Jakes Amaning, left some time ago to prepare everything down there and the Thailand-based pair of Kaimbi and Shipahu, as well as Starke from Germany, is now in Blantyre.
Muinjo added that Namibia's remaining matches in the World Cup qualifiers are important fixtures and the players are aware of what is at stake.
We have to do well and we are confident that the team will deliver. I have spoken to the captain Da Costa Angula and the whole team and they are aware of what we expect... Now it is up to the technical team and the players to deliver and we are confident they will.
The Brave Warriors lost 1-0 at home to Malawi, whose national team is known as 'The Flames', in March - a result that left Namibia with three points and third spot in the group.

Hosting African champions
After tomorrow's match, the Warriors will then host 2013 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) champions Nigeria, in Windhoek at the Sam Nujoma Stadium on June 12, before playing their final World Cup qualifier match in Kenya on September 7.
The Nigeria match is set to take place during midweek, after the country successfully asked world football governing body FIFA to bring the Super Eagles' games forward to allow them to participate in the Confederation Cup, which starts in Brazil on June 15.
As defending African champions Nigeria will be the continent's representative at the event that is traditionally viewed as a test run for the World Cup, which will take place in Brazil next year.
The Super Eagles is leading the group with five points, followed by Malawi, who also have five points, while Kenya is bottom on two points.
Tickets for the Nigeria game are on sale at Computicket at Shoprite and Checkers and at the NFA Soccer House for N$50 each and no tickets will be sold on match-day.

Squad of 23 that left for Blantyre:
Goalkeepers: Ephraim Tjihonge (Milano United, South Africa), Virgil Vries (Maritzburg United, South Africa) and Max Mbaeva (African Stars)
Defenders: Willem Mwedihanga (AmaZulu, South Africa), Larry Horaeb (Ramblers), Chris Katjiukua (African Stars), Freedom Puriza (African Stars), Da Costa Angula (Black Africa), Denzil Haoseb (Black Africa), Ananias Gebhardt (Tigers) and Emilio Martin (Ramblers)
Midfielders: Willy Stephanus (Black Africa), Petrus Shitembi (Pretoria University, South Africa), Bradley Wermann (African Stars), Bryan Bantam (Black Africa), Deon Hotto (African Stars), Neville Tjiueza (Tura Magic), Pineas Jacob (Tigers), Lazarus Kaimbi (Osotspa, Thailand) and Manfred Starke (Hansa Rostock, Germany).
Strikers: Sadney Urikhob (Civics), Roger Katjiteo (Black Africa), Marco van Wyk (Black Africa) and Tangeni Shipahu (Osotspa, Thailand)

GOBABIS CHARLES TJATINDI

A racial storm is brewing at Gobabis after a young entrepreneur at the town, Levi Katire, was severely beaten on Saturday in what is believed to be a racially motivated attack.
Medical personnel at the Gobabis District Hospital struggled for hours to stop excessive bleeding coming from the deep cuts on his head. His condition is now reported to be stable, although he lost a lot of blood.
Katire was allegedly attacked by white patrons at an upmarket bar after being refused entry to the bar. The bar, trading under the name Buffalo's, is located in the town's industrial area.
Relating his ordeal to Nampa from his hospital bed on Sunday, Katire said he and a friend decided to drop by Buffalo's on their way to another drinking spot when the attack happened.
He said his friend and some patrons at the bar got into a heated argument, at which Katire decided to go inside to avoid the confrontation. He was, however, stopped in his tracks by the bar owner, who told him that his kind was not welcome there.
The bar owner told me that it was a private bar and only whites were allowed at the bar. When I asked him why that was the case, another white man who was sitting inside the bar rushed at me and hit me with an object on my head, he said.
Whilst trying to defend himself, another patron allegedly approached him from behind and stabbed him in the neck with an unidentified sharp object.
It all happened fast. One moment we were having a conversation with the bar owner, and the next moment I was lying on the floor and blood oozing from my head. What I do not understand is how a place in an independent country can only be accessed by some people? Katire said.
Several attempts to get hold of the bar owner, whose name was not revealed to Nampa, proved futile and all his contact numbers went unanswered.
According to information obtained by Nampa, refusal of entry to black people at Buffalo's is nothing new.
A former managing editor of New Era, Rajah Munamava, and the chief executive officer of the Gobabis municipality, Efraim Dawids, have been denied entry to the bar on different occasions in the past.
Gobabis has long been at the centre of racial disputes between white and black residents, with some places at the town reserved for certain groups.
A church at the town is allegedly also a no-go zone for black people, as white people are said to either leave or warn blacks not to return to it when they show up.
Katire's case is yet to be reported to the police. The police are waiting on a statement from Katire pending his recovery. - NAMPA

OKAHANDJA NAMPA

Founding president Sam Nujoma has expressed concern over increasing gender-based violence in Namibia, saying it is shameful and unspeakable .
Young people are involved in alcohol and drug abuse, and as a result disrespect parents and elders, he said at a Swapo rally held at the Nau-Aib sport stadium over the weekend.
Today we are faced with many social evils in our society which we must fight against. We need to preserve and maintain our traditional norms and cultural values.
In African culture, we are obliged to respect our elders, parents and traditional leaders, he said, adding that this is the basis for self-respect, peace and stability in any given society.
Nujoma asked what is wrong with Namibian people, especially men, and why they have to beat and kill women.
He urged the nation to help stop these social evils now, otherwise we are going to reverse our political gains to the benefits of imperialists and foreign forces who want us to remain their economic slaves .
Nujoma also urged every community member to work together with the police to report any incident of violence against women and children.
He commended the station commander of Okahandja, Chief Inspector Yolanda Uugulu, and her team for working hard in bringing down the crime rate at the town.
In 2010, 1 279 criminal cases were reported at Okahandja; in 2011 the number dropped to 1 076, while last year only 981 cases were recorded.
In her welcoming remarks, Swapo district co-ordinator Valerie Nadakondja Aron echoed the same sentiments, saying: ... we condemn the brutal killing and raping of women and girls in our country, mostly perpetuated by people who we tend to trust so much.
These are our own sons, our own fathers, our own brothers, and our own uncles in our own houses, in our own neighbourhoods, in our own towns and villages.
Aron said drug abuse is neither Namibian nor African, and serious intervention is urgently required to address that moral decay as soon as possible.
She suggested that it is time to reintroduce traditional moral values in bringing up children.
She believes that the basic upbringing of a child starts at home, as there is no school that teaches common sense.
Let us give it a try, surely we shall be able to see some good results, she appealed.
Swapo secretary-general Nangolo Mbumba, home affairs and immigration deputy minister Elija Kaiyamo, Otjozondjupa governor Samuel Nuuyoma and other senior government officials were also in attendance.

RUNDU NAMPA

New Kavango Governor Samuel Mbambo has prioritised rural development.
Mbambo, who previously served as Namibia's ambassador to India, replaced Governor Maurus Nekaro, who died earlier this year.
He arrived in Namibia from India on May 24, and arrived in the Kavango Region with his wife, Bonifacia Mbambo, last Thursday.
He was received by government officials and people of the region immediately after entering the Mururani checkpoint, 130km south of Rundu.
A large convoy of government and private vehicles escorted the new governor from the checkpoint to his new office at the Kavango Regional Council, with many people cheering and waving at him along the road.
The new governor said although Namibia has a small, all citizens should ask themselves what they can contribute to the global village, and that such contributions should start at village level.
The governor said it is not the richest, most educated and most advanced people who should determine the pace of development, but development must be measured by how well the people in the rural areas are doing.
He said what a child in an urban area is enjoying must also be enjoyed by a child in a rural area.
I am here to join a team that already exists - the Regional Council - and to see to it that our people benefit from everything that is benefiting people in the city. The rural areas are number one, stressed the new governor.
Mbambo said Namibia is blessed with visionary leaders who came up with the idea of Vision 2030, and envisioned that come the year 2030, the country and its future generation should be on par with developed nations.
Citing a proverb which says the legs of a hungry man should never be idle , the governor called on people not to sit down and wait for drought relief, but to stand up and do something for themselves since the region has an abundance of water and fertile soil.
The Kavango Region has also been given a big responsibility in the form of the Green Scheme projects.
We will fail Namibia if come next year and there is enough rain, the government still goes from one home to another, distributing food. This region has been given a responsibility and mandate, and it's a challenge because we are blessed with water and fertile soil, to see to it that the nation must have enough food, and I will start myself by putting up a garden, he said.

WINDHOEK ELLANIE SMIT

With a cereal harvest expected to be 42% smaller than last year's, it is predicted that Namibia will have to rely heavily on maize imports during the 2013/14 marketing year.
Crop production was severely affected by the current drought, which was declared a national emergency last month by President Hifikepunye Pohamba.
The situation was made worse by an outbreak of army worms in some parts of the crop-producing regions in the northern communal areas.
According to a press release issued by the manager of marketing and communication of the Agricultural Bank of Namibia, Regan Mwazi, the national cereal output for 2013 is forecast at 96 000 tons, which is 42% below that of last year when 166 000 tons were harvested.
It is predicted that this year only 43 000 tons of maize will be produced while last year the country produced 88 000 tons.
Wheat production is predicted to stay the same at 14 000 tons while millet production is expected to decline from 56 000 to 33 000 tons.
According to the statement the decrease in cereal production will result in an increase of maize imports to 115 000 tons for the 2013/2014 marketing season.
The government's drought assessment indicated that most households' grain stores will be depleted before August, said Mwazi.
The assessment also indicated that grazing conditions in most parts of the country have deteriorated due to poor rainfall. Livestock farmers have been urged to sell their livestock to minimise the impact of the drought.
The government last month declared a national emergency and asked international and local partners for help with drought relief.
Mwazi said Agribank has mobilised resources to help the farming sector. Consultation with stakeholders is ongoing and an announcement will be made soon on drought mitigation.
Mwazi added that it is too early to judge the impact of the drought on the bank's performance, as clients have not yet approached it for financial assistance or making arrangements for loan repayments.

WINDHOEK FAITH SANKWASA

An official at the Tsumeb municipality, Gerson Kautondokua, has dismissed claims that he corruptly used his office to acquire a plot in the Nomtsoub residential area, which he is now selling to Namibia Custom Smelters for N$100 000
Kautondokua, who is the municipal property officer, is accused of acquiring the plot for his own gain at the expense of the council.
He told Namibian Sun that he bought the property from Henning Crushers and is now re-selling it to Namibia Custom Smelters (NCS).
Kautondokua claimed that there are external forces seeking to discredit his public standing, hinting that the rumour mill started with disgruntled municipal officials whom he fell out with.
The plot is my personal investment. I purchased the property during the normal cause of business from the previous owner, Henning Crushers. I am now selling the property to Namibia Custom Smelters. I suggest that you consult the registrar of deeds to obtain the correct facts before wrong information is spread to the public, which could defame or incriminate my character, Kautondokua said.
NCS official Andre Struwig confirmed that the company is buying the land from Kautondonkua.
Struwig also said that the transaction was above board. He said the company was approached by a certain councillor to support a project to set up a structure on the plot, which was then found to belong to Kautondokua.
Yes we are buying the plot from him [Kautondokua]. It is a private sale and does not involve the town council. We did not find anything amiss even after the offer was made and as we are speaking, our company lawyers are busy with the papers to have the deed of sale transferred into the ownership of the Tsumeb Smelters, Struwig said.
Tsumeb municipality CEO Archie Benjamin confirmed that the sale was a private matter between Kautondokua and the buyer, as he is the rightful owner of the plot.
If the plot belonged to the municipality, then proper procedures would have been followed but that particular property belongs to Kautondokua, who is also an estate agent during his spare time. I understand the property was bought by him a long time ago, so there is nothing wrong whether he sells it or not, as it is his, Benjamin said.

WINDHOEK ELLANIE SMIT

The Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) has opened an investigation into allegations made by some of its branches in the South.
The union's Oranjemund and Rosh Pinah branches recently accused its National Executive Committee (NEC) of violating the union's constitution and setting up an illegal NEC. They also claimed that union leaders serving as directors of the Namibia Mineworkers Investment Company (NAM-MIC) are receiving shares in the union's business arm.
The MUN president, Ismael Kasuto, reacted in a statement to these allegations.
We strongly condemn the name-calling of some of the leadership and predecessors being corrupt, greedy, being unscrupulous elements and regard such statement to be defamatory and hinge on disrespect, question our ethics as leaders and tarnish the image of our organisation, he said.
He said the allegations would be investigated and handled by the appropriate structures within the MUN.
According to him the allegations of money being squandered by the current leadership are baseless. Kasuto said the allegations were intended to tarnish individuals' reputations, and must stop.
The National Executive Committee has requested the southern regional chairperson to initiate an investigation into this matter.
Kasuto further requested that any members or branches that have authentic documents to substantiate the allegations, including the alleged corruption, to submit them to the union's secretariat.
Kasuto said the allegations that NAM-MIC Holdings shares are being allocated to the board of directors are baseless.
NAM-MIC Holdings is wholly owned by Namibia Miners Trust (NAM-MIC) and the board of directors has no shares in NAM-MIC Holdings as claimed, said Kasuto.
The board is appointed by the NAM-MIC trustees and the trustees consist of the following office bearers: president, secretary, general secretary, the regional chairpersons and four independent trustees as appointed by the regions.
Kasuto said that in 2003 NAM-MIC Holdings shareholders passed a resolution to establish the NAM-MIC Investment Share Incentive Trust.
According to Kasuto the purpose of the Trust is to serve as an incentive for directors of companies within the NAM-MIC Holdings group of companies.
The trust had since been dormant and to date no single director has benefitted from it. He stressed that the scheme was properly constituted with the approval of the governance structure of the MUN, and there were no irregularities.
However, trust report dated September 2012 indicates that leaders of MUN who serve as directors of the Trust can claim up to 17 000 shares.

WINDHOEK ELVIS MURARANGANDA

Prosecutor-General (PG) Martha Imalwa has heaped blame of the shock withdrawal of a bribery case against Windhoek lawyer Dirk Conradie on a communication breakdown and the under-staffing of her office.
The Windhoek Magistrate's Court prominently cited Imalwa's failure to make a decision in the matter as reason for it withdrawing the case against Conradie and co-accused Sarah Damases.
But Imalwa yesterday listed a series of bottlenecks that she said were delaying her decision in the matter, including unfinished investigations by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and a communication breakdown between her office and the prosecutor in the case.
Conradie and Damases were charged in connection with a N$60 million advertisement contract for Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC), on whose board Conradie serves as the chairperson.
Conradie allegedly corruptly solicited gratification as an inducement or reward for giving assistance or using his influence in the promotion or procurement of the contract.
Presiding Magistrate Hileni Riani Kavara withdrew the charges against the two last week, after Imalwa's office failed to make a decision whether to prosecute the two.
During the court proceedings Kavara said counting from September last year, the PG had nine months to make a pronouncement on the matter, but no decision was brought to the court and she would not allow another postponement.
Yesterday Imalwa told Namibian Sun that a string of obstacles beyond her control delayed her decision in the matter.
The fault did not lie with my office. The docket was sent back to the investigating officer for further investigations and was only returned to my office a week before it had to appear it was due to appear in court last week, she said.
You can't expect me to make a decision within a couple of days after I have received the docket again from the ACC.
According to her, a communication breakdown between her office and the prosecution team in the case could have played a major role, as the prosecution was not informed that the docket had been referred back to the ACC.
When the case was referred back to the ACC, a copy of this instruction was not received by the prosecution for them to inform the court of what was going on. So the request for postponement was not clear to them, she added.
On whether any action will be taken against those responsible for delivering the new instructions to the prosecution, Imalwa replied: My office is struggling with personnel. There are a few people who have to do a lot of work. They are human and mistakes will be made.
Also, Imalwa said the withdrawal of the case against Conradie and Damases did not mean that was the end of the matter.
I will still make a decision whether to prosecute or decline. It does not mean that the case is over. The public needs to understand that, Imalwa said.
In June last year, the two were arrested by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on corruption charges when Conradie, during his tenure as MTC board chairperson, allegedly coerced an advertising agency to make Damases a partner in exchange for a N$60 million advertising contract with the parastatal.
ACC director Paulus Noah yesterday said it was too early to comment on the matter but he was confident that Imalwa would make a decision in the case soon.
He added that efforts are being made by the PG's office to assign prosecutors to deal specifically with all cases of corruption forwarded to that office for a decision.

Prof Paul John Isaak writes:

Today, there is an ongoing debate caused by the Council of Churches in Namibia whether biblical studies should be reintroduced in Namibian public or state schools. Three issues need to be clarified in this regard:
First, there is a difference between the concepts of a secular and secularist state. A secular state is a concept whereby a state or country purports to be officially neutral in matters of religion and to treat all its citizens equally regardless of religion, and claims to avoid preferential treatment for a citizen from a particular religion over other religions. But in the case of a secularist state the view is that religious considerations should be excluded from political and civil affairs, including from state or public schools. According to Namibian constitution, this country remains a secular and not a secularist state (Article 1) where all persons shall have the right to freedom to practise any religion and to manifest such practice (Article 21).
Historically, through the determined efforts of its people, Namibia gained its independence and immediately implemented a model constitution, guaranteeing fundamental human rights and freedoms as a sovereign, democratic, unitary and secular state. Yes, a secular state!
Thus, let Namibia remain a secular state with the provision of religious and moral education in all state schools. Let Christians continue with Bible education at their homes and churches. Likewise, let Muslims have Qur'an education in their homes and mosques. That is the constitutional and religious rights of all religions. But no religion should be reintroduced at the expense of others at state schools. All Namibians do pay their taxes to the government and that money goes to the Ministry of Education. So, why ask for special favours?
Second, before Namibian independence, Christianity by means of biblical instruction/studies in the state or public school system was used as a weapon of breaking down or as a tool of imperialism, colonialism, and apartheid. It is in this context that we all know about biblical studies/instruction in the state or public schools.
To demand that biblical instruction should be reintroduced in state schools beg the question: Do we have a liberative model to implement biblical instruction in all state schools? Currently not.
Furthermore, in this modern constitutional and democratic state to insist on favouring one religion over others is manifestly disregarding an individual's right to culture and religious freedom and ultimately promotes the spirit of intolerance towards other religions.
Third, the purpose of religious and moral education is not for religious conversion, but to address life-related contextual issues. Therefore, students have to be trained in a holistic and comprehensive way in order to equip them for behaviour change, among others by understanding and appreciating values such as that every human must be treated humanely or in the philosophy of Ubuntu; promotion of culture of non-violence by not committing various types of crimes, murder, and passion killings; promotion of culture of solidarity by dealing honestly with all people and exposing corruption anywhere and everywhere; upholding of culture of truthfulness by speaking the truth and not lies religiously, politically, and economically, and upholding a culture of faithfulness by not committing sexual immorality, rape and to respect and love one another.
In summary: the methods and methodology to teaching RME has to be learner-centred, experiential, contextual and concentrating on moral values and not be used to promote one religion over others. After all, religious tolerance means to fight for the rights of all religions as outlined in the Namibian constitution. Let us support the government in its implementation of national reconciliation and nation-building based on the principles of unity, culture of mutual respect, tolerance, and the right to education where no one is excluded because of his or her religious status or beliefs, and the non-violation of basic human rights.
So, let us equally study, in an objective way, all reputable religions and their moral systems. Let us say no to subjectivism, religious extremism, and seeking of favour for one religion over others.

PRETORIA NAMPA/AFP

A South African court yesterday postponed the pre-trial hearing of Oscar Pistorius to August 19 to allow police to wrap up their probe into his Valentine's Day shooting of model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
Looking tense and sombre in a grey suit and blue shirt and tie, the 26-year-old Paralympian dubbed the 'Blade Runner' briefly appeared in court for the first time since being released on bail over the murder that shattered his hero image.
In a macabre coincidence, his next court appearance will fall on the same day that his slain lover would have turned 30.
The hearing inside the packed courtroom lasted only a few minutes as prosecutors sought, and defence agreed to, a postponement to allow police to wrap up their investigation.
Pistorius is accused of murdering Steenkamp in the early hours of Valentine's Day at his upmarket home in the South African capital.
Prosecutors have charged the star sprinter with premeditated murder. Conviction carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.
But he claims he mistook his girlfriend for an intruder in a terrible accident and the defence wants the charge reduced to culpable homicide, which risks up to 15 years behind bars.
Yesterday's hearing came just days after a British television channel broadcast leaked graphic pictures showing the blood-spattered bathroom where Pistorius fatally shot Steenkamp multiple times through a locked door.
The model and law graduate, who had been dating Pistorius for just a few months, suffered gunshot wounds to her head, elbow and hip.
Her mother June told Britain's Channel 5 the couple had had disputes.
We've been fighting, we've been fighting a lot, Reeva once said in a phone call, June Steenkamp remembered.
She must have been so afraid in the toilet and somebody is firing bullets through the door. And already one bullet had hit her so she must have been in severe pain also, said Steenkamp.
We don't know what happened. There's only one person that knows what happened.
The case is bound to be one of the country's most sensational trials, similar to that of American footballer and actor OJ Simpson who was acquitted of murdering his ex-wife in 1994.
Courts in South Africa, one of the world's most violent countries, have a huge backlog of rape and murder cases. But some observers have suggested that Pistorius may get preferential treatment and a possible fast-tracking of his case.
The Johannesburg-born Paralympic champion became an inspirational hero to millions as the first double amputee to compete against able-bodied competitors at the London Olympics last year.

TOKYO NAMPA/AFP

South African President Jacob Zuma called yesterday for dialogue in his country's troubled mining sector the day after a union leader was shot dead following a series of strikes.
The industry, which brings in around 60% of export earnings and accounts for a fifth of Africa's largest economy, has seen a rash of wildcat strikes sparked by wage demands and union rivalries.
All stakeholders, government, management in the mining sector, trade union movement in particular should talk and find a way to deal with this matter, Zuma told a news conference in Tokyo.
We think we have the capacity to in fact discuss and agree, said the South African president.
When the (global) economic meltdown began in 2008, we met social partners and actually agreed how to respond to that situation, he said. I think South African stakeholders have to respond in that way.
Zuma's remarks came the day after one union leader was shot dead and another was wounded at Lonmin's Marikana platinum mine.
The shootings at the mine near Rustenburg, northwest of Johannesburg, occurred in the same community where police trying to contain a violent strike shot dead at least 34 miners last August in what they claimed was self-defence.
Key labour leaders have also been killed amid a fierce battle between the National Union of Mineworkers and its rival the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union for members - and bargaining rights - in the world's top platinum-producing region.
Mines are the country's largest private-sector employer, and their unionised workforce is a large source of votes for the country's ruling African National Congress.
Last week Zuma also called for calm in the mining sector after economic growth hit a fresh low of 0,9% in the first quarter of 2013.
In the wake of strikes at Anglo American Platinum to protest against restructuring layoffs, he urged workers and mine managers to resolve their disputes without violence or stoppages

ISTANBUL NAMPA/AFP

Public workers in Turkey launched a two-day strike yesterday in support of raging anti-government protests as the United States appealed for restraint in the worst political crisis to confront the 10-year-old Islamic-rooted government.
Overnight, riot police in Istanbul and Ankara fired tear gas and water cannon at protesters who set cars ablaze, hurled stones and bellowed angry slogans in a fifth day of demonstrations that have now cost the lives of two people.
While US Secretary of State John Kerry voiced concern about excessive police force, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has remained defiant, lashing out at extremists he blames for the worst anti-government unrest since he first took office in 2002.
A second protester was killed in the southern city of Antakya on Monday, local officials said, after a young man was killed in Istanbul when a car ploughed into a crowd of demonstrators in Turkey's largest city on Sunday.
The violence first erupted after police cracked down on a peaceful rally in Istanbul against plans to build over Gezi Park, a rare green spot adjoining the city's main Taksim Square, but quickly mushroomed into broader protests in dozens of other cities by Turks who accuse the government of pushing conservative Islamic reforms.
The Confederation of Public Workers' Unions (KESK) launched a two-day strike from yesterday over alleged heavy-handed police action in almost a week of clashes that rights group say have left hundreds of people wounded.
The state terror implemented against entirely peaceful protests is continuing in a way that threatens civilians' life safety, the KESK said in a statement, saying the crackdown showed the Islamic-rooted government's enmity to democracy .
The confederation counts about 240 000 members and the action will likely affect schools, universities and public offices across Turkey, a predominantly Muslim country of 75 million people sitting at the crossroads of east and west.
While Erdogan has largely dismissed the protests, insisting they did not represent a Turkish spring, his ally President Abdullah Gul has been more conciliatory, telling demonstrators that their concerns were being heard.
The situation (in Turkey) is now calming down... On my return from this visit, the problems will be solved, Erdogan said at a press conference in Rabat, where he kicked off a tour of North Africa despite the problems at home.
Erdogan, whose Justice and Development Party (AKP) first took power in 2002 and has won two further national votes, has accused vandals and opponents including the main opposition Republican People's Party of having a hand in the protests.

Grootfontein councillor sworn in

The newly elected Grootfontein Constituency regional councillor, Nelao Amagulu, was officially sworn into her new position by Otjiwarongo Magistrate Theofelus Mayumbelo yesterday. The 38-year-old Amagulu took her oath at the Otjiwarongo municipality chambers in full view of the public, including some Swapo Party members who had escorted her from Grootfontein.
Amagulu was elected last week to replace Bromeus Matheus, who died in March this year. Otjozondjupa Governor Samuel Nuuyoma, who was also present at the swearing-in ceremony, urged Amagulu and other constituency councillors in the region to work together and to serve the needs of the people in their constituencies without fail.
I urge you not to deny them services. Don't send them away from your office. Work with the local authority councillors to bring development to your town, said Nuuyoma.

Food aid for Rundu residents

People living on the outskirts of Rundu, who were previously excluded from drought relief, will now receive food aid.
Registration for drought relief is currently under way in most parts of the Kavango Region, where close to 200 000 people are said to be affected by drought.
Residents of the informal settlements on the outskirts of Rundu were excluded from receiving drought relief because they live within the town boundaries.
This resulted in an outcry, as most residents complained that although they live in the town they have mahangu fields and should qualify for food aid because they did not harvest anything this year.

Namibia, Botswana share experiences

Officials from Botswana's Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs arrived in Namibia over the weekend for a week-long visit to learn about registering vulnerable people for social grants.
The deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration, Joseph Kasheya, welcomed the delegation on Monday and urged them to feel free to explore other activities of the ministry, such as birth and death registrations.
Kasheya said the ministry has been getting moral and material support from the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef).

Reports by Nampa

Yesterday, a man in the southern French city of Toulon was given a one-year jail sentence after racially abusing a white man before physically attacking him.
Here at home, a black Gobabis man is counting his blessings that he is still alive after he was attacked at what residents have described as a 'whites-only' pub at the town.
Levi Katire was allegedly told by the bar owner that 'his type' is not welcome at the drinking hole called Buffalo's.
Nampa reported that former New Era editor Rajah Munamava and Gobabis town CEO Efraim Dawids were, on separate occasions, denied entry to the same bar, presumably because of their skin colour.
Social networks were buzzing yesterday as users expressed their shock and anger at allegations that Katire's attack was racially motivated. They expressed doubt that a white patron would have met the same fate.
Clearly, this is an indication that this country has a long way to go in as far as racial harmony is concerned. This, because the 23 years of this country's independence has not helped blur the colours of the skin.
Sadly, while racism is well and alive in this country, no instigator - black or white - was ever brought to book in an emphatic manner that would have deterred would-be offenders from doing same.
If anything, we have actually created fertile ground for further proliferation of racism in the country. Other countries have stepped up the fight against racism, as affirmed by yesterday's jailing of a racist French man.
In English football, which yours truly follows religiously, racism is treated with punitive measures, as was demonstrated by banning Liverpool's Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez for eight matches after racially abusing Manchester United's French left-back Patrice Evra.
The Gobabis allegations take us back into memory lane when citizens were treated differently based on their skin colour.
Yes, people do fight at bars every other night due to intoxication and other factors. With all due sensitivity, we would be relieved to hear that Katire's attack was just another ordinary bar fight that had no origin in the colour of his skin, or that of his attackers.
But if the opposite is true, our government must admit failure in dealing with racism. These are matters for which history will judge us.

The wife of the late Ovambanderu Paramount Chief, Munjuku Nguvauva II, said there is no bad blood between herself and step-son Kilus Nguvauva, who also wants to be chief.
Speaking to Namibian Sun at her office, she explained how at times she is baffled at supporters who take things too far.
“You will find that when I meet my son, I will greet him and talk. But then you will see that someone who is with me will prefer not to say anything to Kilus,” she said.
“The dispute is between Kilus and myself, and if you are speaking, why are they do they opt not to speak to one of us,” she questioned.
Furthermore, Aletha expressed exhaustion at the long-dragging battle over who should take over as leader of the community that was torn in two following the death of Munjuku in January 2008.
In choosing a new leader, the community had been divided between Kilus and his brother, the late Keharanjo Nguvauva II, both sons of late Munjuku Nguvauva II by different mothers.
Since Keharanjo's death in 2011, his followers agreed to appoint his mother, Aletha, who is also a member of the Nguvauva clan by birth, as their Paramount Chief. She coronated as paramount chief by her faction in the same year
“People are tired of the entire ongoing dispute. They are now at peace with each other as a signed of being tired of all the way things are currently,” she explained.
Aletha narrated how she was at a gathering where she met people from the rival faction and she was well received.
“I greeted everybody, person by person, irrespective of whether they support me or not, as gesture of peace,” she said.
A verdict in the disputed chieftaincy is expected to be heard in the Supreme Court this month.
On whether she will accept defeat and succumb to the leadership of her step-son, Aletha said that decision will depend on what her followers.
“I can't yes or no. I will have to consult with my people. But whatever happens, we all need to sit down and talk things through,' she said.
According to her “only God knows” how the rivalry between the two factions will come to an end.
She added that wished for peace and unity for the Ovambanderu community above anything else.