Buchter News » Uncategorized

HANDING OVER BURSARY

admin — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 14:11:39 +0000

The Regional Council acquired a bursary for Mary Ann Fredericks. Mrs Bester approached the Regional Council about a request for her daughter. The bursary is from Coastway Tours, contributing the full amount of N$1,100 and covers one of her study years. Mary Ann study’s tourism at the University of Management and will work at Coastway Tours in holidays to get some work experience. The sponsoring took place on the 9th of January.

Coastway Tours was very happy to assist with the bursary of Mary Ann.

LETTER TO THE BUCHTERS

admin — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 14:15:11 +0000

Dear Buchter news
Please allow me some space to make use of this platform to congratulate the current serving Councillors of the Luderitz Town Council for undertaking such a huge and welcome step to demolish the single quarters in the Benguela area.
I acknowledge the fact that this gigantic move requested a great deal of effort and hard work, but I must also confess that we have witnessed history in the making, in the sense that this type of housing project was used by the old- apartheid colonizers to separate and to prevent the Namibian- male migrant worker from living in a family orientated environment. True, those orders were defied and a housing problem was created by the apartheid government, with it came over-crowding and bad sanitation.
I still find it difficult to understand why the previous councillors chose to turn a blind eye and let our people continue living in those horrible conditions, 21 years after independence.
It is also my sincere hope that the Luderitz Town Councillors has similar plans regarding the dilapidated compound and its kitchen. I would like to remind them that not everyone enjoys looking at the picture of the ‘sand hotel’.
Bearing in mind that a lot of space will be created after the demolition of some of these structures, would you perhaps think about the children in spokiesdorp who are desperately in need of a playground.
Lastly I would like to encourage the custodians of our town to step up the pursuit of economic development, with vigour and aggression.
Apart from the much criticized annual crayfish festival, Luderitz has nothing to offer to her visitors. We need to re-think our strategies if we want to upgrade places like Agatha-beach and attract big retailers to our town.
Best Regards
Theophilus Abraham

Egg Painters Win Easter Prizes

admin — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 18:10:20 +0000

At the waterfront on Saturday, March 27th the Cancer Association held an Easter egg hunt for children and also an egg painting competition from 10am- 12pm. It was $25 to take part and 110 children showed up, which the Cancer Association were very pleased with. Four children won the egg painting competition over all, and won Easter related prizes like chocolate bunnies. The winners were Eden Carey, Jessica Stadler, Anna Gomez and Joy-Sam Ita. Each child got a badge and an Easter bunny mask, which they proudly sported for the rest of the day. Alongside this event the Cancer Association also organised their annual ‘Shaveathon’ at the Yacht Club. Children paid $15 to get their hair sprayed crazy colours and adults paid $30. Overall it seemed the Cancer Association had a very fruitful day.

Raising Awareness

admin — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 17:01:30 +0000

AIDs day awareness week kicked off on Tues¬day 1st of December with a parade from Benguela Com¬munity Centre which went through town and finished at the waterfront. Involved in the parade were members of the Navy, Ministry of Youth workers, the Southern Youth Choir from Keetmanshoop, Exodus brass band, and Diaz Cultural Group. The water¬front was packed with locals, children and visitors to the town, all here to support the cause and raise AIDs aware-ness.
The day opened with a prayer and a scripture read¬ing, followed by all the at¬tendees rising for the nation¬al anthem. Luderitz’s mayor welcomed everyone to the event and thanked the Minis-try of Youth for holding the event in Luderitz. She stated ‘We must work together in order to solve the problem of HIV and AIDs. We need to stand together and spread the message throughout our community. This day will benefit the youth and they will be able to raise aware-ness in their own communi¬ties.’
The ceremonies were conducted by two members of the Junior Town Council of Luderitz, Valencia Binga and Lee-Monique Anderson. There were stalls with infor¬mation about safe sex and in¬formation on AIDs and HIV, leaflets were handed out to the audience and a woman with firsthand experience of HIV, Martha Nendung, told everyone how it had affected her and the impact it had on her life. This was a very moving story, and I think it will have had more impact than anything else discussed during the day.
Between the speeches and addresses various na¬tional and local groups per¬formed, including the Exo¬dus brass band from Luderitz who played twice, the Southern Youth Choir from Keetmashoop who were very good thanks to their conductor Solomon Kinda and Diaz Primary School’s cultural group who were very en¬tertaining. This event was not a one off; the Ministry of Youth had various events all around Namibia during the Christmas break as ‘HIV doesn’t go on holiday’. They felt this was the right time to raise awareness while there are festivities and people act more irresponsibly.
Other events held in Luderitz during the week by the Ministry of Youth included a gospel show, sports activities at the soccer stadium, a video screening from People in Need and entertainment from live bands.•

Luderitz Receives It’s Fire Wagon In Time For Christmas

admin — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 16:37:55 +0000

During May 2008 Karl Gertler who worked as consultant for Luderitz Town Council and Gerd Kessler (Voluntary Fireman and Rotarian for over 25 years) discussed the need of a fire wagon to serve the Luderitz community, as the old 1957 Chevy and the old 1970 model Mercedes desperately needed to be replaced.
The fire brigade in Lüderitz is being rendered by volunteers (Freiwillige Feuerwehr) on behalf of the Lüderitz Town Council. The provision of these services to the community members was hampered due to a lack of well equipped fire wag¬ons. The division only had a 1974 model, Mercedes Benz fire wagon which was not well equipped for the current needs faced by the town in respect of fire services.
Due to the influx of people looking for employ¬ment informal areas have been developed and this results in the occurrence of regular fires in Lüderitz. This is having disastrous consequences for our town. Some areas in the informal settlements also do not have any fire hydrants to supply water to extinguish the fires. The fire wagon which the volunteers used, did not have enough tank capacity to ren¬der a proper service in these areas with no fire hydrants.
In October 2008 Ro¬tarian Erhard Krause of RC Bad Homburg in Germany contacted Gerd Kessler to inform him that a suitable Fire Wagon was sourced. It had a strong pump and a 2500 litre water tank which was needed in order to be of service in Luderitz as many areas where most fires occur, have not got enough water hydrants.
This truck was paid for by the Rotary Clubs of – Bad Homburg, – Magdeburg and – Roma Olgiata and then donated to the Voluntary Fire Brigade of Luderitz via the Rotary Club Luderitz. Thank you to these organisations for their input, their eagerness to help the Luderitz Commu¬nity and their generosity.
The fire wagon, a 1980 Daimler Benz 1017 (4×4), nick named “ Roter Hans” arrived in the harbour of Walvis Bay on 5 Novem¬ber 2009 after various per¬missions and permits had to be granted by the Ministry of Work and Transport and the Ministry of Trade and Indus¬try.
After a long struggle to have the truck, which was donated free of charge to be used for the Community of Lüderitz, exempted from Im¬port Duties, the truck was re-evaluated by customs and a total amount of NS36 000.00 had to be paid, as the value was determined at Euro 20 000.
The Rotary Club of Luderitz announces a special thanks to:
•The Luderitz Town Council for making their Import VAT number available for the import of this much needed truck, as well as NAMP¬ORT for discharging the Fire Wagon from the vessel free of charge.
•Don Grimbeek, who has volunteered to collect the truck in W/Bay and who drove it safely to Luderitz.
•Rotarian Gerd Kessler who has spent many hours cor¬responding via e-mail and telephone, arranging to get this truck from Germany to Luderitz, as well as Rotar¬ians Karl Gertler and Erhard Krause.
Another project com¬pleted successfully by the Lüderitz Rotary Club.•

Unfair Housing Distribution

admin — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 16:32:12 +0000

A housing ‘problem’ in Luderitz has recently been brought to our attention, concerning housing distribu¬tion to long term residents. An example we heard of was a couple who have been Lud-eritz residents since 1978 and still live here. They began their time here sharing single quarters with another family until they moved out because of overcrowding, when a lot of people began moving here searching for employment.
They moved to a shack in the area now known as Old Location, but a fire in 2000 burnt down their house and consequently all their belongings. The family then applied for municipal hous-ing or the funds to build for themselves, but never re¬ceived anything so moved to another shack to rebuild their lives from scratch. Another fire in 2004 destroyed their house, but thankfully this time they managed to save a few things.
Once again they went to the Town Council who told them they were busy constructing new houses, but their name was on the wait¬ing list so they just had to be patient.
They have now been on the waiting list for 10 years and are still being told that the new houses are for those living in single quar¬ters. They have been prom¬ised that they will have a bet¬ter life soon. Single quarters is a settlement in Benguela that was built many years ago and Old Location is the area of shacks opposite Diaz Fishing Centre.
This seems to be a common story. Many fami¬lies in this situation believe our Town Council to be corrupt. Apparently, in other towns, people who have lived in the town for at least 25 years get priority, but here it helps to know someone in the Council. Another rumour is that town council members buy the houses and rent them to people, therefore making money themselves.
This opinion is also shared by upstanding mem¬bers of the community, and they feel that if more born and bred Buchters were members of the Town Council, then the system would be fairer.•

P.P.R.C’s Plan of Action

admin — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 16:30:18 +0000

On the 20th of January, the Police and Public Relations Committee convened for their first meeting of the New Year. There was a large turnout from the community with people representing many different organisations such as security companies, Immigration Control, Ministry of Youth, the Waterfront, Prison Services, Chamber of Commerce and Industry and many more. There were thirty Committee Members in total. A new Chairperson was elected; Mr. Willem Gumede and the other posts were also filled. Last year, the Station Commander explained, people’s commitment to the meetings gradually faded and that this year he hopes members will be more active and serious about the role that they play in the Committee.
The goal of the Committee is, first and foremost, to prevent crime. It wants to encourage members of the public to join as everyone is involved in the fight against crime. The Station Commander also stated that this year the police have been given a budget to employ, “Informers”. Informers are members of the public that keep a watchful eye on the streets and report any suspicious activities to the authorities, with particular emphasis on drug trafficking. Anyone can apply to be an Informer as long as they are Namibian citizens, between the ages of eighteen and fifty and have no criminal record. No one can be forced to become an Informer; if you are interested in the position then you must apply out of your own initiative. There was also talk of setting up a Sister Organisation in Old Location or a Neighbourhood Watch. The feeling in the meeting was that a Neighbourly Conscience is missing from Luderitz and that Buchters must once more become a real community for one another. They must make an effort to know their neighbours, find out their home number so that if they notice something amiss around their property they can be informed. The Station Commander reminded those present that any Namibian citizen over the age of eighteen has the right to arrest someone and bring them to the police station.
Many issues were brought to the floor and discussed. The Immigration Officers explained that there are very few staff handling immigration at the moment and as a result they need as much help from the police and the public as possible. They requested that if anyone suspects someone of being an immigrant that they inform the office. Another issue raised was the prolific number of children begging outside of shops and hassling tourists. It was decided that a solution
to this problem has to be found during this year. There have been programmes in the past but they haven’t provided a lasting solution. There was talk of creating a centre to keep them off the streets but the general opinion was that the blame lies with the parents. The Station Commander also raised the point that if these children were truly street children then they would also be sleeping on the streets. As it is, these children do have homes and therefore should not be left to beg.
Learners loitering outside of supermarkets and underage drinking were also brought up as problems. The Committee felt that parents are being too lenient with their children; letting them stay up too late, sleep too
ate and drink instead of staying at home and studying. We even heard tell of one sixteen year old that was found near the Waterfront, passed out in the road from too much drink. The policeman who found him explained that it took around
four hours before the boy came to and started making any sense. This level of alcohol abuse at such an early age is shocking and something definitely needs to be done to discourage this kind of behaviour. The representatives from the security companies present also mentioned that establishing a direct link between the police and their employees would be worthwhile. The police agreed and suggested creating a radio link as they’re less expensive than cell phones.
The attitude of security companies was also discussed. Apparently employers of certain security companies instruct their employees not to inform the police of crimes that occur outside of their work perimeters. This attitude of, “every man for himself” has to be changed and there will be a meeting taking place between the heads of all the security companies and the police to discuss this problem.
The police hope to have more officers patrolling the streets, especially when tours arrive in town. Recently a tourist was robbed and approximately N$20,000 worth of possessions were stolen. All agreed that this was unacceptable and that the tourists must feel safe during their time in Luderitz. The police explained that they would like to have more police cruisers, but that they are lacking in drivers.
During the meeting crime statistics from recent years were discussed. In 2007there was 850 cases reported, 2008 only 643 and in 2009 there was 655. The police aim to reduce this number again during 2010. The total amount after all the fines were collected from 2009 was N$257065.
The woman and child protection unit’s numbers have also fluctuated. In 2007 there was 69 incidences of domestic violence, 18 of which were minors. In 2008 there were 85 incidences, 18 of these were minors, and 4 minors were accused of domestic violence. The number went down again in 2009 when there was 75 incidences, 10 of which were minors and 3 minors were accused.
These meetings will be taking place every month in the new Police Conference Hall at the police station. Members of the public will be warmly received and are encouraged to attend. The next meeting will be taking place on the 24th of February at 2.00pm and will finish at 4.00pm.
In other news, the court was surprisingly, but thankfully quiet during December, with few drink drivers caught and generally less crimes that the festive season normally prompts. The Karas region crime rate also was reduced during 2009 by 30%, which makes it one of the best area reductions in Namibia.•

Dealing With Disability

admin — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 13:39:27 +0000

Written by Gregory de Vries.

Grasp your new life and new goals firmly and move on.
Sudden or unexpected disability is an everyday reality in our society with accidents, current levels of violence or illnesses such as strokes.

Learn to accept.
The first step in dealing with a disability is accepting that it has happened and that your life has changed. This is the first positive step that you can take to help you gather strength for your journey. If you do not accept your reality you will use time and energy denying that you have a difficult situation to face and overcome. You need time to grieve and be sad about what has happened and then find ways to move on.
BTS tip: accept that having a disability does not make you any less of a person. This will help you keep things in perspective.

Be realistic.
You need to set goals for how you are going to adapt to the disability in the future. When you are planning, be realistic. If your goals are not practical you are likely to fail.
BTS tip: learn to take things one day at a time and make the best of each and every day.

Think positively.
When you are going through this difficult time it is important to think positively. You must think of good things to be grateful for, this will help you fight depression. It is only natural to feel sorry for yourself, especially in the beginning especially when thinking of the things that you can no longer do. But remember to think of things that you are grateful for. For example, the fact that you are alive and can still spend time with your loved ones.
BTS tip: as hard as it may be, do not give up or let the situation overwhelm you. Find hobbies to do in order to keep busy or explore something new.

Until next month, much love.•

Plans For Luderitz; Phase Two Begins

admin — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 13:33:23 +0000

On Monday the 16th of November, the Luderitz Waterfront Development Committee held an important high-level business meeting in order to discuss the plans for Phase Two of their development scheme for Luderitz.
The meeting began at 8.30am sharp, with numerous speakers such as Her Worship the Mayor, Professor Katjavivi and representatives from Namport, Namdeb, and the Ministry of Environment and Tourism.
The meeting was an opportunity for local and regional businesses to find out what exactly Phase Two entailed and to raise any queries about the infrastructures planned.
Mr. Fluksman Samuehl and Mr. Bob Mould held a presentation that explained clearly what is being planned for the town. After a very long bout of negotiations with the municipality, the LWDC finally owns the old power station on Diaz St. and desires to transform it into a centre with an indoor heated swimming pool, art and crafts centre and Bed and Breakfast. They also want to incorporate a Museum of the Sea for locals and tourists to enjoy. Outside of the facility they want to create another tidal pool at the front of the building and an area for water sports. The Ministry for Tourism also suggested building a small but well-run cinema in the centre.
The second part of Phase Two involves developing the existing Waterfront, but only if the demand for such infrastructures is there. The Waterfront Committee hopes to build another hotel, terraced housing and the South’s first modern shopping mall. The LWDC is currently awaiting an intensive survey to be done in four weeks time and the results from the survey will trigger whether or not a hotel will be built on the Waterfront. Mr. Fluksman stated that the difference between Phase One and Phase Two of the Development Scheme is that Phase Two will not commence unless they have viable tenants for the infrastructure planned.
The architect for the scheme, Mr. Mould, said that when taking on a project like this it’s not just about planning a building. You have to take the whole town into account and also think about the effect it will have on the whole of southern Namibia. Mr. Angel Torsedillas, the Chairman of the LWDC agreed and said that the developments put in place must, “harmonise with the character of Luderitz”.
A lot of people have criticised the LWDC for going ahead with these plans, but they believe that now is the time for such investments. They believe that by the time the buildings are complete, the recession will be over, (or at least the worst of it will) and that if they waited until the economic climate was a little hotter, then they would have to pay double or even triple for the same infrastructure. Mr. Torsedillas thanked the community for its feedback and said that there were many useful remarks made, but that, “We must be firm in pursuing development – no matter the cost”. He also stated that there were naysayers during Phase One when they were developing the waterfront, and he believes that after the success of The Crayfish Festival and events like it the LWDC has proven these sceptics wrong. Mr. Torsedillas is adamant of Phase Two’s worth and disagrees totally with the “White Elephant” label that has been given to it. The second and most ambitious phase will cost the Waterfront Committee N$400,000,000.
Many people present at the meeting raised issues with certain aspects of the scheme and the Committee recorded these in order to gain more ideas about what the developments need. These issues centred on how Luderitz had plenty of accommodation already and that during most of the year these were booked to 38% occupancy. Another popular idea was the opening of the Sperrgebiet National Park in order to encourage tourists to visit Luderitz but the representative from Namdeb explained that even though it was a National Park, it didn’t mean that it was open to the public, “Just like many other National Parks”.
Many would like the road from Luderitz to Oranjemund opened so Luderitz would be less of an, “island”, and people could do circular routes rather than arriving and leaving on the same road. The Travel and Tourism representative said she would bring this up with the board. Another issue raised was the increased crime rate that could come with an increase in development and the safety of the families that would live in the terraced houses and become patrons of the shopping mall. Mr. Fluksman assured the audience that the police could handle such events if they arose.
The Honourable Professor Katjavivi, from the President’s Cabinet, supported the LWDC’s initiative in going after the developments. He said that he thinks Luderitz will play a very important part in the country’s economy and that, “the Government has put in place sound economic policies, but it is the people on the ground who can make a difference”. He encouraged the businessmen and women present, “Not to wait for people to come forward to assist you – create your own opportunities”. •

Movember Campaign 2009

admin — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:46:21 +0000

Have you heard of Movember? No????
Well let me tell you a little bit about it. The month formerly known as November has been changed. Movember is a moustache growing charity event, which supports awareness of men’s health issues, in particular prostate cancer.
At the start of the month clean shaven men register, and then have the rest of the month to grow a glorious moustache, raising money along the way to benefit men’s health – specifically prostate cancer. At the end of the month there are parties and galas where these “Mo Bros” can battle it out to be Mr. Movember. And doesn’t every man want to win an award for how magnificent their moustache is? What is stopping you from getting your “mo” on?
For those who participated last year – IT’S TIME…. GET YOUR FRIENDS/ FAMILY and CO-WORKERS together!!!!!
We have raised N$31 000-00 for the Movember Campaign 2008 we want to go BIGGER this year!!
The campaign is organised by its founder member Buks Gous and is assisted by Sunette Burden, all profits from the event will be donated to the Cancer Association of Namibia. For any queries please contact:
Buks: 0813772645 or
Sunette: 0811227620.

REGISTRATION:
Date of Registration:
21 and 22 October 2009
Entry Fee: N$50-00 per Mo Bros
You will receive a sponsorship letter to go and raise money for men’s health in your community and work place.
Venue: Wanderers Sports Club (Lapa)
Time: 17h00-19h00
(If you can’t make the afore mentioned registration, do not worry, contact Buks to get yourself registered).
Movember culminates at the end of the month at Mo-Town parties; where Trucker and Magnum PI look-a-likes battle it out for their chance to be the Man of Movember.

MOSQUERADE PARTY: (Informal function)
Date: 25 November 2009
Bring your money with which you have raised during November 2009

Categories are:
1. Ginger
2. Trucker
3. Magnum PI
4. Sexiest Mo
5. Under 12
6. Snow Mo
7. MO BRO (which raised the most money for the “Movember Campaign”)
8. MAN OF MOVEMBER (winner of all Categories)
Since its inception in 2004, Movember has raised over $30 million globally, significantly increased awareness of prostate cancer in the community, and is continuously working to change the attitude men have about their health.
“Movember” (a combination of the words ‘Moustache’ and ‘November’) is an annual month-long event involving the growing of moustaches during the month of November. The event originated in Australia and will be done for the second time in Namibia during November 2009. •