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SERVING THE COASTAL COMMUNITY SINCE 1958
NO 6462 TUESDAY 16 JUNE 2015
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Going nowhere, slowly? Bernabé Blaauw
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Pensioners' "train still on the move"
The unfinished structure of the Ocean Key luxury penthouse development at Langstrand Residents of Langstrand near Walvis Bay expressed their grave concern over the complete lack of progress at the Ocean Key 24 luxury penthouse complex which has been standing in limbo since the end of last year. Even the Municipality of Walvis Bay seems to be in the dark and when they were questioned about the lack of activity on the development site, they merely responded, “The Municipality is
currently in the process of establishing what has led to the cessation of construction activities at the site. There were indications from the developer that work would have
resumed about three weeks ago. Until all the relevant information is available, however, the Municipality is not in a position to respond sufficiently at this stage.” Efforts to get comments from the
two major shareholders, Messrs Günther Heimstadt and Etienne Weakly also proved futile at the time of going to press. The namib times called Mr Heimstadt yesterday but the con-
nection was terminated soon after he was asked about the lack of progress on the project. A subsequent call was left unanswered. As a last resort to get his comment, a text was also sent to Continues on page 2
Time limit reason for Geingob’s The “forgotten” people of DRC silence at AU summit Marshallino Beukes Marshallino Beukes President Hage Geingob’s decision not to present his prepared speech at the 25th African Union summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Sunday raised some eyebrows. He was supposed to give his speech, but opted not to, as the meeting was already running behind schedule, the president commented on his social media page. “I opted not to deliver my speech. The reason for my decision is due to the fact that the meeting was already running behind schedule, something that was highlighted by several other Heads of State during their interventions. This, coupled with the fact that speakers were required to deliver their statements within a specified time limit, which would not have allowed me ample time to highlight the substantial topics contained in my statement, made me decide to opt out
of delivering the speech,” Geingob’s statement reads. He however did provide the media with his speech, beforehand. In this speech President Geingob lashes out at the International Criminal Court (ICC), saying that this body should stay out of Kenya’s domestic affairs, referring to the ICC’s case of crimes against humanity, against Kenya’s president, Uhuru Kenyatta. He stands accused of allegedly enflaming the violence after the country’s 2008 elections, where
more than 1 200 Kenyans were murdered. “No institution or country can dictate to Africans, who and by whom they should be governed,” President Geingob’s speech reads. He also re-confirmed Namibia’s unwavering commitment to the total liberation of all Africans. Geingob notes that Namibians still have an unequal distribution of resources, with not enough of the citizens economically empowered. He further remarks that Continues on page 2
While the coastal town of Swakopmund is booming with development, and being described and advertised as the ultimate holiday destination, residents of the DRC informal settlement on the outskirts of the town have to walk two kilometres and more to relieve themselves in the open.
It truly is a shame that, after 25 years of independence, Namibians should still not have access to decent toilet facilities. After numerous complaints and pleas from DRC residents, this reporter visited the area on Saturday and was shocked to witness the true nature of these people’s dilemma. No running water, no electricity, no lavatory facilities and living in tiny shacks, the people of DRC have to make ends meet in order to survive. In stark contrast with
the shacks, just a stone’s throw away, one notices the beautiful, brand new houses of the government’s Mass Housing Project, unoccupied… “They [local authorities] demanded us to move our shacks to this side, because they wanted to build new houses for us. Now, it looks as if they have forgotten about us,” one disheartened DRC resident said. Men, women and children have no choice but to relieve themselves behind a small mound, in full view of motorists using the
back-road to Henties Bay. This is humiliating, but what other option do we have?” this reporter was asked. The stench of human defecation at this “outdoors-toilet” is unbearable and the dire consequences this unhygienic practice could have, especially to children, is unthinkable. The current “toilet” behind the mound is running out of space and residents of the area are now forced to walk all the way across the road, in the airport’s direction to get relief. Continues on page 2
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Namib Marimbas back from Europe
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16 June: Day of the African Child
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Walvis Bay RC, victorious, again!
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