Edition 587 27 January - 3 February 2012

CELEBRATION TIME FOR ZEBRAS FANS

It was like a thousand New Year celebrations rolled into one in Maun and across Botswana this week as the country held its breath when the Zebras clashed with Ghana in Africa's football showpiece, the African Cup of Nations (AFCON). Ghana may have won 1-0 on Tuesday, but that did not stop thousands of fans at venues across Ngamiland and beyond celebrating the arrival of their team in the top ranks of African football.

The AFCON match was for many a time to weep as the local side lost but all is not over – the dream of success is still alive as there are still pool games tomorrow (Saturday) against Guinea and on February 1 against Mali.

Maun fans began celebrating the first game hours before the kick-off. Many businesses gave their employees time off from as early as 11.30am while most allowed staff to go to work dressed in the Zebras colours.

Shops did a roaring trade in jerseys and bandanas. The police led a noisy motorcade of Zebras fans round the streets, drawing attention to the big game in such a way that there were literally no vehicles on the streets when the referee blew his whistle for the start of the historic encounter.

Bars and other places of entertainment did a roaring trade, and this promises to repeat itself this weekend and next week. Every patriot had a lump in their throat when Fatshe Leno La Rona, the country's melodic national anthem, was sung before a global television audience at the Stade de Franceville in Gabon before the Zebras took on Ghana.

Batswana have over decades supported their national sport, but results were so poor most of the continent's big forces did not take the Zebras seriously – and it took President Ian Khama to fly to Franceville last Sunday to instill a sense of pride in the national team and to put their grievances over payment to one side. The Zebras fought gallantly against Ghana, but could not kick as was expected by supporters and on numerous occasions pressed their opponents trying to find an equaliser after a corner kick was conceded by the Zebras in the 25 th minute and as a result poor marking in the box, this saw Mensah push his way in front of Ndiyapo Letsholathebe to drive home the only goal.

After that Zebras made their presence felt, giving the other group D teams – Guinea and Mali – food for thought with a free-flowing style of play.

The captain, Mompati Thuma, showed his class, standing tall in defence and taking no threats from one of the continent's deadliest strikers, Asamoa Gyani, breathing down his neck each time they went for the ball. Zebras left wing player Phenyo Mongala, who lacked the usual support on the right wing after Joel Mogorosi's blow of a wrist injury, worked tirelessly to keep the team functioning on the left and saw his long clearance from the Zebras half in the 65 th minute fall in front of the African Player Prospect, Jerome Ramatlhakwane, who in turn outpaced Mensah, and with Matlhakwane facing the goalkeeper and sure of an equaliser, Mensah committed a professional foul just centimeters from the penalty box bringing Ramatlhakwane down to deny the Zebras an equaliser

The referee did not hesitate in showing Mensah red. The Zebras fired on all cylinders with a strategy that coach Stanley Tshosane applied - that is “If not broken, don't mend it”. He gambled by introducing the tricky Pontsho Moloi for an over-worked Jomo Moatlhaping and the chances were that Zebras were likely to get free kicks as the Ghanaians were showing signs of heavy legs.

Another noticeable event was the constant calling of the Lord's name by white clothed Ghanaians in the crowd who saw that divine intervention was the most they sought of to overcome the stubborn Zebras.

The Zebras missed the services of veteran midfield cum striker Diphethogo Dipsy Selolwane who was serving a two yellow cards suspension but will be available for selection for the Saturday game against Guinea at the same venue in Franceville (5pm). Guinea are also expected to come wounded into the match after losing their opening game to Mali by a solitary goal while Ghana and Mali clash at 8pm at the same venue. Group A saw the other Southern Africa side Zambia firing out much-fancied Senegal 2-1 with goals from their captain, Christopher Katongo, and Mulambo in the first 20 minutes to top the group. Then Equatorial Guinea, knocked out Senegal with a 1-0 win after earlier beating Libya 1-0.

A pink elephant in the Okavango bush

A pink elephant! Yes, there's one in the Okavango delta and here's the picture to prove it. The BBC Online News featured on Monday in its “Most Popular Read” story an article on the albino African elephant, an extremely rare phenomenon. The calf was originally sighted and photographed by cameraman Mike Holding of Afriscreen films, while he was filming for a BBC wildlife programme in March 2009 and again by cameraman Richard Uren in 2011. Both sightings took place in NG 31, the Chitabe concession, bordering Moremi Game Reserve and the timing corresponded with the arrival of the floods in the delta. “We only saw it for a couple of minutes as the herd crossed the river. This was a really exciting moment for everyone in camp. We knew it was a rare sighting - no-one could believe their eyes,” Holding recalled this week. Ecologist Dr Mike Chase, who runs the conservation charity, Elephants Without Borders, said: “This is probably the first documented sighting of an albino elephant in northern Botswana.” Albinism is caused by a very rare mutation or gene. Usually genes like albinism are recessive, so even if an animal or a person carries one of those genes it will not be expressed unless determined by a genetic analysis. In the rare instance an animal receives two recessive albino genes - one from each parent - it will be an albino. Chase added: “What happens to albino elephant calves remains a mystery. Surviving this very rare phenomenon is extremely difficult in the harsh African bush, because the glaring sun may cause blindness and severe skin problems.” He told BBC News that there might be a ray of hope for the pink calf as it already seemed to be learning to adapt to its condition - “because this elephant calf was sighted in the Okavango Delta, he may have a greater chance of survival. He can seek refuge under the large trees and cake himself in a thick mud, which will protect him from the sun.” If anyone is lucky enough to sight this rare elephant, they can contact Elephants Without Borders in Kasane. (Picture: Mike Holding, Afriscreen Films).

It's an invasion of worms!

By Lets Open

Maun is being invaded by a worm which has caused discomfort to school children, pedestrians and businesses. The small worms have been found in various parts of the town, and hundreds last week caused screaming children at one primary school to drop their lunch boxes as the worms managed to find access to sandwiches and fruit.

Stanbic Bank manager Jane Hrusa said this week that the worms had been found in her bank “causing discomfort to staff and clients.” However, an official at the Agriculture department – she did not want her name mentioned because officials in Gaborone had placed a blanket of silence on the situation– said the worm did not appear to be harmful to animals or humans “but they are causing concern in many homes and on farms,” she added. Trees were a favourite place for the worms, dropping down from branches and leaves on unsuspecting people resting in the shade.

It is thought that the worm is in fact butterfly larvae. It does not appear to be related to mopane worms but has however so far defied identification. A medical doctor who agreed the worm was “related to the butterfly” said it did not appear dangerous or poisonous to humans and animals – “it could cause temporary infections if not brushed off the body,” he warned. There are thousands of different kinds of worms. The largest species measure many meters long, while the smallest cannot be seen .

Those on the streets of Maun this week are brownish in colour and about a centimeter long

Cattle farmers want to know slaughter dates

Staff Reporter

Farmers in Ngamiland's main livestock production Zone 2D are still in the dark as to when the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) will start buying cattle from their area.

Earlier this week the Maun BMC abattoir general manager, Goabaone Ranko, attributed the delay in communicating such information to the area's farming community to the Department of Veterinary Services.

Ranko maintained that “we have not yet considered the slaughter from Zone 2D as we are still awaiting advice from the Department of Veterinary Services. We have to get an instruction from the Veterinary department.”

The principal veterinary officer in Ngamiland, Dr Obakeng Kemolatlhe, however told The Ngami Times his department has issued the veterinary movement protocol late last year - “that movement protocol does not say anything about not selling livestock from Zone 2D. It (protocol) allows it.”

Zone 2D, which covers the areas between the Kuke and Makalamabedi veterinary cordon fences, accounts for 80% of Ngamiland's more than 400 000-strong herd. The slaughter of the Zone 2D livestock was initially scheduled for December 14, 2011 but had to be suspended after reported foot-mouth-disease (FMD) cases in the Bodibeng area during that month. The farming community had learnt that that outbreak had stabilised and the disease was no longer spreading, hence their expectations that the slaughter would commence earlier. However, it would appear the information on the possible new slaughter dates is being poorly communicated to the farming communities by the BMC.

As the chairman of the Hainaveld Farming Association, Phillip Wright, said: “We had expected to sell either at the end of March or beginning of April. Obviously there is poor communication between the relevant agency and the farmers.”

Traffics cops vow more visibility on roads

By Basadi Morokotso

The police have promised to stage more sporadic road blocks in Maun as an awareness measure, and in a bid to sensitise road users to be extra vigilant on the roads considering the many road accidents which have taken place as a result of negligence.

Their visibility on Maun streets was the talk of town on Monday, leaving some members of the public wondering if they were targeting something or if they were acting on a tip off.

Station Traffic Officer Superintendent Alfred Magudu said the road blocks are a routine operation which they stage whenever they feel there is need to do so, adding that in most cases they have apprehended and charged road users.

“We have realised also that some people are ignorant and therefore usually think they know when and where we stage our road blocks. We have also learnt that there are some irresponsible motorists who, seeing our road blocks or speed traps, go about alerting all those they would meet along the way of our presence on the roads.

“So we want to prove them wrong and make them realise we are in fact doing this to save their lives, not to cause havoc, hence our mission to stage road blocks randomly when they least expect it”, he said.

He said taxi drivers have also been strongly warned and shown the need to try to improve their ways of driving which he said “has for a long time been more freestyle, also causing confusion on Maun busy roads.

“I personally had a brief meeting with them at the bus rank recently and told them of the need to cooperate with other road users because it is paramount.”

Next week's edition of The Ngami Times will include a special supplement on Mining in Ngamiland.

Editorial

Zebras sterling performance

The Zebras debut on Tuesday at the Orange Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2012 in Franceville, Gabon, was indeed a moment to relish not only for our players but also the nation at large. The majority of our citizens could have not been physically in Gabon but their undying spirit was definitely there.

Though they went down one goal to nil against the highly-rated Black Stars of Ghana, the Zebras sterling performance “demonstrated its maturity in competing at the highest level,” as the president of the Botswana Football Association (BFA), David Fani, was to later aptly note.

Even our opponents, the Black Stars, appeared to have been alive to the Zebras' capabilities as they treated the encounter with the requisite respect. The Ghanaians wisely ignored our detractors' ridicule that sought to portray the Zebras as a walk-over, for the Zebras meteoric rise, that saw the Botswana side clinching the coveted pedestal of being the first to qualify for the games and being nominated the Africa Team of 2011 must have been enough to strike fear in the heart of the Stars. And it showed in their approach to the game.

We shudder to think what could have befallen the Black Stars had the Zebras not experienced mishaps days leading up to the tournament.

The Zebras had to go into their opening match without their trusted and mature captain, Dipsy Selolwane, who was suspended for one match by CAF for the yellow cards he collected during the run-up to AFCON 2012 games. As if that was not enough, the team suffered another blow when their striker, Joel Mogorosi, had to return home after sustaining a fractured arm during a preparatory exercise in Cameroon.

The two mishaps, however, appears to have done little to dampen the national team's spirits. Similarly, Zebras' supporters throughout the country were in high spirits. The electrifying atmosphere that engulfed the country on Tuesday is something that will be cherished for years by those who were caught up in it.

It is amazing how sport can unify the people for the good of humanity. For once, we had forgotten our differences and focussed on something that is for the common good of all Batswana, the African people and indeed the entire human race.

Let us continue to enjoy the unifying factor that the Orange Africa Cup of Nations 2012 is to provide in the coming two weeks. What a way to start a year!

A new airline is scheduled to take to the skies soon. The all-jet Blue Sky Aviation will hopefully be operating within the next few weeks or depending on whether it will be given a licence to operate scheduled flights from Gaborone.

It will be operated by Flying Mission Services, which has been in Botswana for the past 30 or so years.

The people behind Blue Sky have not been identified as yet but it is thought that big business and family trust funds are heavily involved in an airline which should prove a very viable carrier in competition with Air Botswana.

Blue Sky has acquired one Boeing 737 so far and hopes to get a few more.

Reports say the airline plans routes to Maun, Francistown, Kasane and other Botswana airports. It's about time the routes were flown by jets.

One hopes that by the time the Boeing arrives in Maun, the airport will be capable of handling the passengers and more importantly their luggage without the bun fight to reclaim bags that usually ensues when passenger planes land here.

Night flights to and from the airport could also prove a problem as the airport's generator is out of action during this time of load shedding – and there does not seem to be an electrical engineer worth his salt to repair it! This particularly affects medical evacuations (medivacs).

**

We note nothing has been done about the unbelievable mess outside a local Maun nightclub first thing in the morning, despite legislation banning drinking on the street. The police and district council officials, it would appear, continually turn a blind eye to the situation, and this makes one wonder whether there is not collusion at work here. Shuffle is aware that adjoining property owners and their tenants are more than fed up with the antics of so-called nightclubbers, but these don't want to be identified for fear of being targeted.

**

A fool's guide to pipes – as published last week in a SADC government's official gazette!

1. All pipes are to be made of a long hole, surrounded by metal copper or plastic, centred around the hole.

2. All pipes are to be hollow throughout the entire length. Do not use holes of different length than the pipe.

3. The ID (Inside Diameter) of all pipe must not exceed their OD (Outside Diameter) otherwise the hole will be on the outside.

4. The pipe is supplied with nothing in the hole, so that water, steam or other stuff can be put inside at a later date.

5. All pipe is to be supplied without rust; this can be more readily applied at the job site. NOTE: Some vendors are now able to supply pre rusted pipes. If available in your area, this product is recommended, as it will save a great deal of time at the job site.

6. All pipe over 150m in length should have the words “LONG PIPE” clearly painted on each side and end, so the contractor will know it's a long pipe.

7. Pipe over 3 000m in length must also have the words “LONG PIPE” painted in the middle so the contractor will not have to walk the entire length of the pipe to determine whether it is a long or short pipe.

8. All pipe over 1.8m in diameter must have the words “LARGE PIPE” painted on it, so the contractor won't mistake it for a small pipe.

9. Flanges can be used on pipes. Flanges must have holes for bolts, quite separate from the big holes in the middle.

10. When ordering 90 or 30 degree elbows, be sure to specify left hand or right hand, otherwise you will end up going the wrong way.

11. Be sure to specify to your vendor whether you want level, uphill or downhill pipe. If you use downhill pipe for going uphill, the water will flow the wrong way.

12. All couplings should have either right hand or left hand threads, but do not mix the threads, otherwise, as the coupling is being screwed on to one pipe, it is being unscrewed from the other.

13. All pipes shorter than 3mm are very uneconomical in use, requiring many joints. They are generally known as washers.

14. Joints in pipes for water must be watertight. Those pipes for compressed air, however, need only be airtight.

15. Lengths of pipes may be welded or soldered together. This method is not recommended for concrete or earthenware pipes.

16. Other commodities are often confused with pipes. These include; Conduit, Tube, Tunnel, and Drain. Use only genuine pipes

So there you have it. You cannot go wrong, go wrong, go wrong. Or can you>

**

HEALTH MESSAGE As I was lying in bed pondering the problems of the world, I rapidly realised that I don't really care. It's the tortoise life for me!

* If walking/cycling is good for your health, the postman would be immortal.

* A whale swims all day, only eats fish, drinks water, and is fat.

* A rabbit runs and hops, and only lives 15 years.

* A tortoise doesn't run and does nothing, yet it lives for 450 years.

And you tell me to exercise?? I don't think so. I'm a senior. Go around me! .*

Last word:

Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM . Please use the back door.

‘Partner with government to help the poor' says Khama

By Basadi Morokotso

XAIXAI - President Ian Khama has called on Batswana to partner with government in a bid to help the masses of less privileged people countrywide who still live under harsh conditions.

He said here the government alone cannot afford to fend for all, hence the need for active collaboration from all spheres and in all aspects.

Khama said the fact that many still live under abject poverty cannot be ignored, adding that this also bears testimony that there is still a long way to go before this country can rid itself of poverty - which therefore calls for any amount of possible assistance so as to allow the less fortunate to lead normal lives.

Khama was speaking at a ceremony during which 25 houses were handed over to deserving remote area dwellers who have never experienced or known the comfort of having a roof over their heads. The ministies of Local Government and Agriculture also jointly donated 30 goats to each of some 20 households.

The project is said to have been chosen through consultations with the community since they know and understand their needs better.

The North West District Council, in partnership with the Department of Animal Health Production, is to supply 4,560 goats to Xaixai and 52 beneficiaries in eight gazetted remote Area Dwellers (RADS) settlements in the district.

The senior private secretary to the President, Duke Masilo, said it was not an easy task sourcing financial assistance from companies and individuals, adding however that Batswana have been “kind enough and have heeded to the president's call.”

He said it is up to the beneficiaries to ensure that the donations are taken care of and are used in the most appropriate way.

“We have heard of incidents whereby some people rent out these houses and continue living in poverty. That practice is not only discouraging, but very wrong and uncalled for. Be warned also that stern measures will be taken to ensure that all falls into place because we do not want a situation whereby our donors lose hope as this will paint us all black and see us as people who have no direction and have poor coordination,” he said.

The Acting NWDC Secretary, Motlogelwa Thuso, said as council they have been humbled by the fact that despite the bad roads and distance, nothing has ever halted developments to reach areas such as Xaixai and other settlements.

He said they have also managed to attend some of the challenges they faced because the Office of the President was always reachable and making things easier for them.

Thuso called on beneficiaries to take the responsibility of managing their livestock and allow them to breed because if they continue selling the animals, as this has come to their attention, they will be left with nothing and will never graduate from poverty.

The donors included among others, Mahommed Dada, of Broadhurst Motors, Willy Kathurima of Kathurima Associates, Farouk Chopdat of Choppies, Rafik Sartar of World Group and Salim Shaik of Builder's World.

* See also Weekender

Health workers trained in fighting malaria

By Lesley Van Neel

The Ministry of Health, through the Department of Preventative Services, has been holding malaria case management training to empower health workers on knowledge of malaria in Ngamiland.

The training focused on prevention, detection of malaria cases and effective treatment and was attended by government health workers from Ngamiland and the private and tourism sectors.

In an interview with The Ngami Times, Kim Mashimango, head of Preventative Services of Ngami District Health Management Team, who was also the facilitator of the training workshop, said that they wanted to train as many people as possible to be able to fight malaria.

Mashimango said that the workshop is not the first of its kind, but is the first after the adoption of the concept of malaria elimination by 2015 in Botswana - “we want to give health workers knowledge to change their mindset and see malaria as a disease that can be eliminated,” he said.

Mashimango also named some of the major interventions that come with the malaria elimination concept. He mentioned the need of health education of the community, the distribution of long lasting insecticide-sprayed nets (LLIN), indoor residue spraying using DDT which started in October 2011 and the effective treatment of malaria using Artemethen Lumefantrine (LA).

He also said that they are going to strengthen surveillance of malaria cases and do contact tracing of cases.

The malaria case management training is annual event and they endeavour to run it in October before the transmission period. The transmission period in the Ngamiland area usually starts from November 1.

‘Botswana turns down Namibia help with power'

The Botswana Power Corporation would have been saved the grave power outages of the last two weeks had Botswana accepted an offer of emergency supply from Namibia, says the website iBotswana. Quoting the Gaborone newspaper, “Sunday Standard” , it says the government chose to spurn the Namibian offer for fear of annoying and antagonising the South African power authority, Eskom, “who are by far the region's most powerful supplier and energy mainstay.” Botswana has for the last two weeks been experiencing intermittent power supplies. This has caused major disruptions in both businesses and households. “Botswana currently imports 90% of its energy from South Africa, but the supply has been badly disrupted over the last two weeks due to factors happening in Botswana and South Africa,” reports iBotswana. “In South Africa, Eskom had to reduce their supplies to Botswana as a result of planned maintenance work ahead of winter. In Botswana a fuel powered generator connected to the national grid in Orapa also operated below par as a result of maintenance”. The website also says recent heat waves have also meant that all the generator power currently available “had to be reduced to allow sufficient cooling of the plants.” It says with South Africa unable to meet its contractual obligations, Namibia had offered Botswana supplies but a fear of long-term ramifications arising from a possible diplomatic fallout led to Botswana turning down the offer.

“South African power generation is by far the single largest component of the Southern African Power Pool, a basket arrangement through which SADC countries pull together to meet their energy needs,” the website adds. BPC spokesperson Spencer Moreri said “South Africa was living up to its obligations. Orapa and Morupule ‘A' are running below capacity. South African imports are constrained because of ongoing repairs in South Africa,” he said. “We acknowledge that this is a national problem. The good thing is that Botswana government has been making interventions to assist BPC,” he said. Moreri says the corporation is working around the clock to address the 130 megawatts nationwide power deficit. BPC is negotiating to obtain about 22 megawatts within the region in addition to the 70 megawatts expected from the Matshelagabedi diesel power plant and 45 megawatts from the Orapa plant.“The situation should have normalised by next week, but if the demand is surpassed load shedding will be inevitable,” he added. Moreri said electricity from Matshelagabedi will come in two phases starting with 35 megawatts. He noted that the country needs 540 megawatts at peak hours, but that it can only supply 410 megawatts, adding that South Africa's Eskom cannot manage to offer electricity on emergency in addition to the 350 megawatts it supplies to the country.

Reporter Basadi Morokotso pictured with two happy members of the community at remote Xaixai recently.

Journey to Xaixai is an adventure!

By Basadi Morokotso

GWIHABA CAVES - I have always been filled with excitement whenever there is a trip to undertake, particularly in instances where I was to go to an area for the first time. At times I would even dream and imagine myself there already.

However, that was not the case when I was assigned to cover President Ian Khama's recent event in Xaixai settlement - although the trip started off well from Maun until we went past gravel roads in Kaure settlement, a few kilometres from Tsau.

We were told the Nokaneng-Qangwa road was even worse. We were in a North West District Council (NWDC) 4x4 vehicle which was in an excellent condition, and the driver was up to the task but I must admit throughout the journey, all was not well with me.

The dirt and bumpy road made me feel a little dizzy, tired and so unwell, and all of a sudden there was an element that kept telling me I might pass out!

The whole feeling frightened me, and all the excitement went off abruptly. I kept asking the other occupants if we were anywhere near our destination, and all they could do was laugh their lungs out because they knew we were “miles away” - and that scared me even more.

I felt so sick even though I kept pretending I was getting better. They even suggested we stop for a brief rest, but I refused because really I did not have a clear idea of what lay ahead or what to expect. We went on until we reached the renowned Gcwihaba Caves- a World Heritage Site formerly known as the Drotsky caves - and I immediately saw it as a blessing in disguise because I was going to view the caves for the first time.

For me that was a great bonus because I am the kind of person who likes exploring and learning about new things. I also like to surround myself with people who have gone places because it also gives me an opportune time to learn.

As we went up the hill, our driver lost track of the road and he immediately communicated by cellphone with someone who manages the area, and in no time we were on the right road . . .

We found a contingent of Botswana Defence Force (BDF) and government vehicles and were told President Khama had been camping for a few days, and I guessed that was because he was on transit to Xaixai where he was to officiate at the handing over ceremony of houses to needy families, another bonus!

I mean, it's a very rare opportunity to get into contact with the First Citizen.

Without wasting any time, we were ushered into the dark Gcwihaba Caves with a lot of small openings from the main entrance. Although beautiful, the caves seemed not a good place to be, particularly for the faint hearted.

They are so dark that we had to use a torch. Along the way our guide told us there was a leopard which was resident in the caves but assured us it was “harmless”. A harmless leopard - that was enough for me and my colleagues!

We decided there and then to make a u-turn because the predator is dangerous.

Our stay was brief though as we still had a long way to go. We reached Xaixai in the evening and by the time we got there, I had endured a lot of pains to my body. I felt so sick and it was so bad that I had to be attended to at the local clinic. All I was thinking of the following day was the journey back to Maun. I couldn't help imagining the same circumstances as the previous day, and the thought sickened me even more. I tried to ignore how I felt but it was all visible as my colleagues kept teasing me about it. I have observed also that I always feel sick whenever I travel on the poorly constructed gravel roads and this impacts negatively on me these days because now I am afraid I might not be able to explore the many places I want to see – and certainly not after what I had to go through . . .

Pilot dies outside his tent

A Belgian pilot believed to have been looking at prospects for working in Botswana was this week found dead outside his tent at a local camping ground. He has been identified by friends as Bart Hellemans. He is thought to have died from a heart attack. The alarm was raised after a security watchman found Hellemans lying outside a tent and tried to wake him, then realising that the man had died. He contacted his superiors who in turn activated the 911 Neighbourhood Watch radio network for assistance. The Belgian consul-general in South Africa has been connected as well. Police are investigating but no foul play is suspected.

Wayei seek recognition by government

The Wayei tribe is seeking a meeting with President Ian Khama over their recognition as a tribe by the government.

The Wayei case came before the High Court in 2001, which annulled the Chieftainship Act and called for its amendment to accord the applicants equal protection under the law.

The Act has since been amended and provides for the recognition of tribes and chiefs. The Wayei formally requested recognition in 2008 and consultations took place in Maun and Gumare the following year.

Imports of pork products suspended

The importation of live pigs, fresh products derived from pigs and feed intended for pigs from South Africa has been suspended with immediate effect due to an outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF). The Department of Veterinary Services says “the disease is one of the most dreaded” because of its highly infectious nature. ASF has a variety of means of spreading, a high mortality rate and a lack of specific treatment with the only remedy being to isolate the animals and kill them. A press release says clinical signs of ASF include the animal's unwillingness to stand, increased respiration, coughing and poor appetite. The department is expecting additional epidemiological and laboratory investigation information from the South African Veterinary authorities and the public would be informed of further developments. (BOPA)

The drain with no owner

By Lesley Van Neel

The offending sewage drain that has been spilling its contents directly into the Thamalakane River since last year has not found an owner.

After an initial story in this newspaper about overflowing drains in Maun, the Water and Wastewater Management Unit in the North West District Council was very quick in addressing the issue of sewerage blockages in and around the town centre.

They attended to almost all the sewerage drains that were problematic but however there is a particular drain that seems to be unknown to almost every government department dealing with waste in Maun. The Department of Environmental Affairs said the Wastewater Management Unit is responsible for the whole sewerage system in the Maun Administrative Authority (MAA) area, and therefore has to be aware of any blockages at all times.

This, however, was not the case as the Unit seemed not to know of the drain behind the Livestock Advisory Centre (LAC), close to the council water pump. They knew neither of its location or that it has been blocked for more than a month, all the while spilling its toxic contents directly into the Thamalakane River at high pressure. The Unit had on Thursday, after being given directions by The Ngami Times through the NWDC's public relations office, gone to check out the area in the vicinity of the drain, but claimed that there is no spillage form any drain on their line.

This prompted The Ngami Times to confront the Department of Building and Engineering Services (DBES) who also denied ownership of the drain, claiming that all “round-shaped drains” belonged to the NWDC.

There is also the stench caused by the drain that would lead any curious nose straight to where the drain is, especially in the afternoons.

There's a great goal in football-mad Africa!

By Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations (UNAIDS)

Winning the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2012 is something millions of people across Africa are dreaming of right now.

As nations join together in solidarity, spurring on their teams, they should not forget that they are already winners … against AIDS.

Africa has been at the epicentre of the epidemic since it was first discovered on the continent over 30 years ago, and Africans have been at the heart of the response. In recent years, the scale up of efforts across the whole of Africa have produced astonishing results.      

In every corner of Africa today babies are being born without HIV, even though their mothers are living with the virus. In Botswana, in Kenya, in Gabon and in Equatorial Guinea, families are now able to protect their children from HIV. This is an incredible achievement and one which was unthinkable just 15 years ago.

The total number of new HIV infections dropped by more than 26% in Africa since the peak in 1997, and AIDS-related deaths are steadily decreasing as access to lifesaving medicines expands across the continent, but can Africa continue its winning streak and ensure that fewer and fewer people become infected and that no more people die from AIDS?

For the first time in the history of AIDS, Africa has the best chance now to protect women, men and children everywhere from new HIV infections and to keep people living with HIV alive––this must now be the ultimate goal for Africa.

It's an exciting moment to seize. New discoveries and new approaches are offering the opportunity to dramatically change the course of the epidemic. We know we can use antiretroviral medicines to prevent as well as treat AIDS––these are the same medicines that have been keeping people living with AIDS alive for more than a decade––in poor countries as well as rich ones.

For the continent most affected by the epidemic, I believe Africa and its leaders can take charge of the response and find ways to secure the resources needed to make zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero-AIDS related deaths a reality in every country. Africa has to look for and seize every opportunity to do so.

Take the Africa Cup of Nations 2012 as an example. It provides an exceptional opportunity to mobilise and re-energise Africans against AIDS as millions tune in and turn up to support their teams.

As the 16 nations participating in the tournament in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon prepare to make their supporters proud, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) is supporting an innovative AIDS awareness campaign by the Foundation of the First Lady of Gabon, Madame Sylvia Bongo Ondimba which is a true example of her leadership and commitment to the AIDS response.

The campaign, “CAN sans SIDA” (CAN without AIDS), will use the enormous popularity and outreach that football has across Africa to spread the word that zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths is possible in Africa, and that by protecting a new generation from HIV infection,

Africa can and will change the course of the global epidemic.

I believe in Africa, and I believe that Africa can win against AIDS

Times Sport

CTO almost surrender lead to Maun United

In the Nhabe regional football league last weekend, CTO led Maun United by 2 goals to nil before allowing the youthful side came from behind and forced a final score line of 3-2.

Horizon Stars repeated their first trashing of BOP in a Boseja derby, beating them by 3 goals to 2. Moeti United got the better of Cubs at Maun Sports Complex winning 3-1 while Gnners of Khwai continued their winning ways by North West United 3-1 as well. Maun BMC got the last laugh in edging Zungu 2-1 and Maun Terrors handed Delta Winds their first defeat since 2010, narrowly winning 4-3. This weekend will see BOP against Cubs, Maun Heroes against Zungu, Delta Winds against BMC, Makgabisanaga versus Fuji Rollers, and North West United and CTO will clash at the MTC grounds on Saturday at 4pm while Terrors welcome Moeti on Sunday at Maun Sports complex (2pm) followed at 4pm by Gunners of Khwai against Maun United .