N$4
namib times
SERVING THE COASTAL COMMUNITY SINCE 1958 NO 6641 FRIDAY 31 MARCH 2017 Tel: +264 64 - 205854 / +264 64 - 461866 /Fax: +264 64 - 204813 / 064 - 461824 / Website: www.namibtimes.net
Division grows within NAFAU Members threaten to close Walvis Bay branch
inside Nando’s Fire
Sharoldine Bock
Branch Executive Members of the Western Region Walvis Bay branch of the Namibia Food and Allied Workers Union (Nafau) threatens to close down its branch office indefinitely by noon today, should the General Secretary of Nafau, Jacob Penda, not answer on allegations of unfair treatment, in-timidation, exploitation, favouritism and abuse.
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Locker vom Hocker
Central to this growing dispute are two branch organisers of Nafau in Walvis Bay, Hiskia Tylius and Ronald Hamukwaya. Penda allegedly favours Tylius, to such an extent apparently, he provided him (Tylius) with a vehicle. To the contrary Penda allegedly holds a grudge against Hamukwaya and has instituted disciplinary procedures against him in order to get rid of him. Jacob is allegedly also disregarding Nafau standards and rules and acts without authority of the Union's National Executive Committee. Branch Executive Members are prepared to take matters beyond closing the office and further
Continues on page 2
Don’t close Langstrand beaches - residents Piquet Jacobs
Members of the public were adamant on Wednesday night that residents of Langstrand cannot “privatise” the beaches of this suburb, and for the municipality to allow people unhindered access to popular beach picnic spots in the area. The municipality of Walvis Bay organised a public meeting that took place at the Narraville Community Hall on Wednesday night to get the input from the general public. The municipality will utilise these inputs together with those of Langstrand residents who are concerned about vehicles having free entry to beach areas. Residents at Langstrand remain divided over the issue of beach access. Some are against barriers to prevent vehicles entering beach areas near popular picnic spots. Others are Continues on page 2
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Time Change Namibians must adjust the time on their watches one hour back on Sunday in order to revert to winter time. Since 1994 Namibia operates on summer (GMT+2) and winter time (GMT+1). Winter time officially starts on the first Sunday of April of every year and summer time starts on the first Sunday of September of every year. In 2016 the Minister of Home Affairs Mrs Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana asked for countrywide consultations to determine whether Namibia should do away with the current summer and winter time and revert back to the pre-20 March 1994 standard of GMT+2. At the conclusion of the consultation process, Minister Iivula-Ithana in February this year tabled the Namibian Time Bill in the National Assembly. Once enacted it would replace the Time Act of 1994. Soon after the law making processed commenced in the National Assembly, the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture expressed concerns over the proposed new standard time for Namibia, as it would mean the country's hundreds of thousands of school learners risk walking or cycling to school in darkness. The National Assembly proposed the time extended on the matter of doing away with winterand summer time and a special committee was appointed to study the matter further. On Tuesday of this week Minister Iivula-Ithana informed the nation from the floor of the National Assembly that Namibia [for now?] would continue to operate on the Namibian Time Act of 1994 meaning adjusting the clocks one hour back at one minute past midnight on Sunday to winter time. Continues on page 2
Motoring Inside
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Walvis Bay Players in Hong Kong Sevens
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