2017

TABLE OF CONTENTSFROM THE EDITOR’S DESK_______________2HIGHER EDUCATION NEWS _____________ 3FEATURES _____________________________ 4DEVOTIONAL __________________________6THE LOUD MOUTH _____________________8LIFESTYLE _____________________________ 10AUNTY KNOWS BEST ____________________14UNAM CAMPUSES_______________________15THE COFFEE POT _______________________17TRAVEL ________________________________18ECHO SPORTS __________________________ 20JAW BREAKERS _________________________ 22CARTOONS_____________________________23

UNAM ECHO IS THE TRAINING PUBLICATION OF THE MEDIA SECTION, DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF NAMIBIA.

EDITORIAL ADVISERS: PROF ENO AKPABIO DR FRED MWILIMA

This is a student publication hence the views and opinion expressed are strictly those of the stu-dents and do not represent that of the Department of Information and Communication Studies and the University of Namibia.

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Stephen Nyoni

Greetings family! It is indeed great to present to you yet another edition of your favourite UNAM Echo! I am especially excited this time considering the long journey we have taken together. This stands as a promise of what we are yet to achieve together in bringing to our world a practice of journalism that is authentic and, indeed, reliable. Gracias!

This edition does-just-that; by covering the efforts of UNAM students in bringing life to our community and again reminding all of us that we live for one another, our journalists were on hand to cover the challenges faced inside and outside our University.

The highlight of this publication also dwells on the fact that it coincides with the birthday of the former Chancel-lor of the University – Tate Pohamba! It is for this reason that a huge focus was given to the sharing of wisdom on our livelihoods as students. You will notice as you scroll through the pages that quite a reasonable number of stories have focused on how to better the welfare of students.

From discussions on abortion (which is a rile issue among young people) to an appreciation of the efforts of some of the service providers found on our various campuses; UNAM Echo journalists once again put in their best effort in ensuring that all students were informed as they enter this crucial time of examinations. This, as well, was not overlooked as we issued various tips that have worked for us on how best to navigate the exam period without much trouble.

This was topped off by our usual spiritual corner that allows us to get in-touch with our true self. I encourage you to read through the articles in this section, I can guarantee that they will be uplifting and from a point of love to you. I for one, found them seriously remarkable.

I wish also, to convey condolences to the bereaved family of Mr Mwala Maluli Mushe who was a first year student in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. UNAM Echo joins the Office of the Dean of Students and the entire UNAM community in mourning your loss, May His Soul Rest in Peace.

Just like all our previous editions, the May Special is packed and ready to take you home. The content in this magazine is prepared especially for you, so take it and

share it with others. Remember to contact your editor at echoeditor17@gmail. com or unamecho@unam.na. Thank you so much once again and all the best in your forthcoming examina tions. God Bless and Godspeed pilgrims!

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SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS ASSIST THE KATUTURA COMMUNITY

By Margaret Chama Kampamba

Social Work Students at UNAM have embarked on a fund-raising venture to improve hygiene in Windhoek’s Katutura residential area as part of their course - Social Change Strategies.

Speaking during a presentation held in Katutura, Frieda Kagola explained how as a group of social work students they have decided to find a solution to the poor hygiene situation in Katutura.

“My peers and I plan on a simple business of selling hotdogs and cool drinks,” said Kagola. “And from the mon-ey raised, we will buy refuse bags to be used for garbage collection instead of it being dumped carelessly as is now the case.”

Kagola said that as social work students they hope to have a great impact on the community and she requests that the community takes part in this campaign as well.

“We will ask for volunteers who preferably are the youths in the community to sell these food stuffs on our be-half,” Kagola said.

Performing and Visual Arts struggles with space

By TANGAI MAUCHAZA

Academic staff in the department of Performing and Visual arts at UNAM are unhappy with the lack of space to accommodate growth in student numbers.

“Over the years the student numbers have grown and the venues that were fine in 2000-2001 just don’t serve the same function anymore and the whole department is pushed to the limit,” said Mrs. Sascha Olivier-Sampson, Head of Department of Performing and Visual Arts. “This is the problem that the department is currently facing and very little has been done to solve the on-going situation.”

Mrs. Suzettte Van der Smit, a senior lecturer at the department, said that there are very few classrooms and those that are available are usually overcrowded.” Van der Smit uses her office as a venue for one of her many classes. She said that the 17 students offering the module are crammed in and are not able to freely move around during lectures. “The annual increase in student intake has caused a lot more problems than good for the department,” Van der Smit said. ”Venues should be bigger.” She feels sorry especially for the students who have had to deal with the little or no resources as they ultimately suffer the most.

“Nobody is happy with the situation at the drama section from lecturers all the way through to the students,” said Angela Kabvozu, a third year drama student. “The academic space is very little and inconvenient.” Lucas Orange, Space Management Officer, said that he is aware of the situation at the drama department and that there is a development plan in the pipeline. He was of the view that as soon as the funds are made available from the government the situation will be rectified.

The drama department moved to UNAM from the Namibian University of Science and Technology in 1993. The first physical development took place then and again in the year 2000. Since then, the department has weathered every challenge while patiently waiting for their next big infrastructural development project.

Higher Education News

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ABORTION: TO BE OR NOT T0 BE By Gracia KitebaA discussion on whether abortion should be legalised in Namibia was hosted by the second year Social Work Students on the 26th of April 2017 at the Gym Hall at 12:30 p.m.

Sharon Zaaruka, the Student Representative for Information and Publicity, in her contributions argued that abortion should be legalised because everyone should have a choice of whether to abort or not. She made reference to the statistics revealed by the Minister of Health and Social Services of 8000 abortions. Thus, she felt that it is best to legalise abortion so that those aborting do so safely.Another discussant pointed out that legalising abortion would increase HIV/AIDS, STDs and even encourage young people to indulge more in sexual activities before marriage.

So the question remains, is Namibia ready to legalise abortion? Discussants provided answers from the medical, psychological, social work, theological and legal perspectives. An interesting fact was raised by one of the attendees regarding the position of men on this issue because most of the time men are left out or are not consulted in this discussion while they have a major role to play. Abortion is the act of terminating a foetus’ life legally or illegally. In some countries like Sweden and South Africa abortion is legalised. Some Namibians who have the means do travel to South Africa to do abortions.

WHY APRIL FOOL’S DAY? By Alfred Titus

The ‘what’ of April fool’s Day is pretty clear; it is a time for pranks for bet ter or for worse. But the ‘why’ is a mystery.

Though many holidays have cloudy origins, the history of April fool’s Day is particularly blurry, as there are several competing claims for the invention. Some see the holiday’s source in a storybook, while others consider it an evolution of the general rejoicing of springtime. One possible precedent is in the Greco-Roman festival called Hilaria, which was celebrated on March 25th. The festival honoured Cybele, an ancient Greek Mother of gods, and its celebrations included parades, masquerades and jokes to celebrate the first day after the vernal equinox.‘’Traditionally, the vernal equinox was thought of as the beginning of the year in the Julian calendar,’’ notes Si-mon J. Bronner, a professor of American studies and folklore at Penn State.

In the 16th century, the Christian world switched from the Julian calendar, which was introduced by Julius Cae-sar, to the Gregorian calendar named after Pope Gregory XIII. The change moved the New Year up to January 1. Some historians find another origin for April Fools in that switch, as those still using the Julian calendar were fooled by the new date. Meanwhile, others insist that the tradition of an April’s New Year celebration simply evolved into a joking time, which is how the pranks began.One idea about the holiday that’s not really a possi-bility is that it’s universal. Various cultures around the world do have celebrations around the same time, like the Hindu holiday Holi and the Jewish holiday Purim. Thus, the prank-centric nature of April Fools’ Day is particu-lar to Europe and North America. It’s interesting that the celebrations have taken such hold on culture, consider-ing their murky origins, Bronner says. Culled from http://time.com/4276140/april-fools-day-history/

FEATURES

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EXAMINATION STUDY TIPSBy Aina kweyo

As we approach the end of the semester, exam time is slowly but surely coming our way. This time can be nerve-wracking to be quite frank. Most students, if not all know the feeling of being “extra” on caffeine after sunrise and falling asleep on desk in study centre too well. As if that is not enough, the feeling of getting a D symbol or below after sleepless nights can really send most students into a state of depression.

HERE ARE A FEW TIPS TO MAKE YOUR SLEEPLESS NIGHTS COUNT AND ACE THOSE EXAMS:

1. Strategically plan your study sessions around your brain’s highest performing times. For example morning hours 6-9 a.m., you are most likely to be successful at remembering the information 2. Do not memorize the entire text book; rather study to learn and understand the information3. As you study, write down and make notes of information that you might not remember such as keywords and definitions4. Practise on old exams, this will help you get used to the format of questions. If you time yourself it can be good practise for making sure you spend the right amount of time on each question5. Give yourself enough time to study: don’t wait until the last minute though some thrive on this. I advise you - organize your study time accordingly.6. Take regular breaks: studies have shown that for long-term retention of knowledge, taking regular breaks really helps.

EXAM PREPARATIONS By Angaleni Shilongo

It is that time of the year again that stresses most students when it comes to exam preparations. Give yourself the best chance with these top ten study tips.

1. Give yourself enough time to study, Don’t leave it until the last minute.2. Organize your study spaceMake sure you have enough space to spread your textbooks and notes out3. Use flow charts and diagramsVisual aids can be really helpful when revising.4. Practice on old examsThis helps you get used to the format of the questions.5. Explain your answers to othersExplain an answer to a question to others. That will help you to get it clear in your head. 6. Organize study groups with friendsGet together with friends for a study session. 7. Take regular breaksStudies have shown that for long-term retention of knowledge, taking regular breaks really helps.8. Snack on ‘brain food’Keep away from junk food! What you eat can really have an impact on energy levels and focus9. Plan your exam dayMake sure you get everything ready well in advance of the exam - don’t leave it to the day before to suddenly realize you don’t know the way, or what you’re supposed to bring.10. Drink plenty of waterBeing well hydrated is essential for your brain to work at its best. Make sure you keep drinking plenty of water throughout your revision, and also on the exam day.

Good luck!

Culled from https://www.topuniversities.com/student-info/health-and-support/5

DEVOTIONAL UNLIMITED GOD By Carol-Lee Peters

Exodus 14:14 “The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” In Exodus, the beautiful story of the Israelites leav-ing Egypt is told. On this journey from Egypt, the Israelites were faced with many obstacles, one of which was to cross the Red Sea. Upon reaching the Red Sea, the Israelites were worried and nervous and told Moses that they want to go back to Egypt. Moses, however, told them to trust in the Lord, “The Lord will fight for you. Just stay calm.” The Lord did fight for the Israelites; he parted the Red Sea for them to pass through and then caused the sea to crash down on the Egyptians. The Lord fought for the Israelites, but they had to stay calm and trust in Him.

Daily you are faced with numerous obstacles ranging from small matters to big concerns. How we deal with these daily obstacles is important. Firstly, do not rely on your own strength and wisdom to overcome obstacles, as your wisdom and strength is not sufficient. You need the type of strength that can part seas and crash it down on your ene-mies, you need the Lord. Secondly, after asking the Lord to help you, do not doubt Him by continuing to be in a state of worry and stress about the very thing you asked assistance for. Remaining calm and having peace of mind that the Lord will fight for you, reflects your trust in Him. There is no obstacle too big for the Lord to help you overcome. He parted the Red Sea for the Israelites; imagine what He can help you with!

As you plough through the final weeks of this semester, ask the Lord to help you to finish this semester victoriously. The Israelites had a choice to either trust that the Lord will fight for them or to be overcome by doubt and fear. Will you decide to trust that the Lord will fight for you or will you be overcome with stress and anxiety today, this week and the rest of the semester?

“WE NEVER REALLY UNDERSTAND A SITUATION UNTIL WE ARE IN IT” By Margaret Chama KampambaWe never really understand a situation until we are in it. Many a times we live our lives in the fast lane because all we want to do is enjoy life. (Romans 1:17)Then ‘age’ stops being just a ‘number’ and the ‘life clock’ begins to tick.We realize it’s time to settle down and remember there is a God, And we begin to pray and ask him to be at the centre of our relationships. (Proverbs 3:5-6) (Romans 6:16)

Then we begin to pray and ask him for our significant other not to cheat forgetting at some point you helped some guy/girl cheat on their significant other. (Galatians 6:7-8). Many a times we pray for our relationships to last forgetting at some point we helped another’s relationship break. We never really understand a situation until we are the ones going through it.“Let’s enjoy it while we can” we say, forgetting the repercussions it will bring us in future. (1 Corinthians 15:33)How do you pray for something when you whole heartedly know the means by which you attained it were not pure? (2 Timothy 2:22)

God’s work is pure and not harmful to others.

Ask for forgiveness, find God first then you will find your significant other or he will find you. (Matthew 6:33)

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STAY IN YOUR LANE By Josephine Mwatale

This goes out to the converts. The beginning is always the hardest so said the world, but in Christ the beginning seems to be the easiest. You find people giving in into repentance prayers, because they do not want to disap-point the person that invited them for service. It might also be that they feel they want to experience how it feels to be born again just for the sake of that.

Yet as soon as they walk out of the venue their souls return to what they were. I want to communicate to those who truly gave their lives to Christ because they wanted to and they were moved by the Word and not influenced by other ungodly factors. The devil, as we know him likes targeting new souls in Christ as he did with Jesus after his baptism in Matthew 3; 4:1-11. This is not surprising.

At moments like these, his army of followers starts to decrease and it is his mission to decrease God’s army and not vice versa.Holiday is one occasion that can throw spanners in God’s work. Most of the students who have been converted in the first semester are at risk of backsliding.

Family members, friends and colleagues lure them back into their old ways of ‘having fun’ consuming alcohol, watching movies with ungodly content, and listening to satanic music. By the time they return, our brothers and sisters in Christ are no longer recognisable!My advice to them is to find new friends who are strong in the faith to socialise with over the holiday.

This does not mean abandoning your old friends completely just spend more time with them in places that are appropriate. And invite them to church. As for your relatives, you can choose to talk to them about your situa-tion: Explain to them that you are now born again. If they are considerate enough they will try to accommodate you when you are around and help you grow stronger in your faith.

Take your Bible on holiday; do not leave it gathering dust in your suitcase. Do some spiritual research by study-ing the facts and foundations of the gospel. Discover your purpose in life, spend some time practicing what is written in the Bible, save more souls and your light will shine bright; Matthew 5:14-16. There is a reason why He chose you from the many.

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JUST SAYING: LIKE LECTURERS, FACULTY OFFICERS SHOULD ALSO BE EVALUATEDBy Mathues Ndingoya

In my view, faculty officers at UNAM also need to be evaluated. Management should have a mechanism in place to evaluate the performance of faculty officers and their assistants on service delivery.If they are not evaluated, how does their hard work get noticed? Or how is their poor service delivery no ticed? I understand that Faculty officers are very busy, especially at the beginning of the aca-demic year and they deserve applause for that. Students have all kinds of problems, be it wanting to add modules, cancelling modules, putting modules on distance etc. That’s a lot of work but that’s their job and they are obliged to attend to all enquiries and students’ needs. And the earlier they help and sort out student problems, the better.Yet, faculty officers delay students because they take too long to process forms and other documents. Due dates for the CODEL assignments are usually early, probably in the third month of the year but you find that some modules are not registered as distance at least a week before the due date. This means students end up doing assignments on the due date, copying from each other and so on. Things should be processed earlier to give stu-dents enough time to work on their assignments and other tasks.If the delays on the part of faculty officers is due to work overload, then they should make use of as many student assistants as they can. Students can make the process faster and effective. We as students deserve the best service from UNAM. We don’t want excuses from UNAM. OPEN YOUR MIND, UNAM.

NUTRIFOOD IS HOLDING DOWN THE FORT IN DIFFICULT TIMES Students are still managing to get decent and affordable meals whilst pursuing their studies

By Kudakwashe Mutuma

Whilst UNAM main campus students are in the run up to the end of the semester with exams quickly approach-ing, Nutrifood is making sure the students are happy with awesome meals they are churning out. Whilst being away from home, students tend to miss home-cooked meals as food plays an integral part in their wellbeing, Nutrifood is making sure that that is not an issue as students will get something of a home-cooked meal feel. It is a known fact that when the belly is full, one can concentrate better and excel in whatever endeavours they are pursuing.

The Dining Hall (DH) is the place where more and more students are heading to for a meal for two reasons; va-riety of meals and the fact that they are allowed to purchase meals using their student cards. This is currently the only facility that offers the use of cards for meals. Students have been surviving; all thanks to this facility being made available as cash is not always at hand for most students, who are bursary holders and have access to only money in their NASFAF accounts. For the students with disposable income, the DH makes sense just because of the fair pricing of their food which does not break the bank. Management at the DH has developed a great rap-port with the students by catering for the different needs of students. This is with reference to those with different dietary requirements for medical or religious reasons. Furthermore, the service is on the A+ side looking at the number of students who walk through their doors on a daily basis, which could be seen as quite overwhelming. Despite all this, Nutrifood has been managing to keep students fed and happy, even closing their doors way after stipulated closing hours to ensure no one goes to bed on an empty stomach.

Credit should be given where it is due and the DH has a setup with an abundance of sitting space and the vibe they have managed to create for students has made it ‘the place’ for students to congregate. If one is a foodie and likes quality food, they can be assured to get quantity and quality all in one at the right price, courtesy of Nutri-food.

THE LOUD MOUTH

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UNAM LIBRARY COMPUTERS ARE DYSFUNCTIONAL By Ilona Ipundaka

It is very disappointing to learn that most of the computers at the University of Namibia (UNAM) state-of-the-art library are not working.

This situation has persisted for years now and leaves students who do not have laptops frustrated and struggling to ensure that their assignments are typed. In many cases, five or more students are forced to share one computer.

Most affected are students from less affluent households who cannot afford to purchase laptops and have come to rely on the library’s computers to do their research and assignments. To make matters worse, the library’s print-ing machine is also not functioning properly.

The printer is regularly jammed or does not print at all. UNAM is perceived by many as the best tertiary edu-cational institution in the country; the University attracts local and international students who share one goal, which is education.

However, in the absence of basic yet crucial tools such as computers and printers, many students may be denied the ability to score high CA marks that qualify them to write their final examinations – simply because they can-not submit assignments.

How can UNAM expect students to perform well in their studies under such circumstances? The IT department must attend to this issue without delay.

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PROACTIVE WAYS TO GET THROUGH THE COLD SEA-SON WITHOUT HURTING YOUR POCKET

By Diana Abankwah

It’s the countdown to the UNAM holidays, and students are going to be out of school during the coldest months of the year. There will be several days spent in front of the laptop, wrapped in blanket burri-tos, with mugs of hot chocolates going down by the gallons. This is well-deserved after such an arduous semester, and we owe it to ourselves to binge-watch all those series we’ve been putting off and hole up in blanket forts. But cold weather and too much inactivity also has its downsides. We don’t want to fall prey to S.A.D (Seasonal Affective Disorder).

S.A.D is, in short, a depressive condition that sets in with the changing of the seasons. It mostly affects people in countries with brutally cold winters where there is very little sunlight. For us children of the sun, the cold temperatures that Namibia can drop to in winter can sometimes translate into lack of energy, comfort eating, constant sleep, and inactivity. These are all signs of depression.

Keeping active is the best buf-fer against turning into a winter vegetable. And we have a hand-ful of great and affordable ideas for students to keep a little blood flowing this winter. The gym is not involved, before you turn the page. There’s something intimidat-ing about stripping down from an onesie into gym clothes during the cold season; we get it. We’ll do you one better.

Yoga does wonders for mind, body, and spirit. For those of us low on cash this winter season, the Indian Embassy in Klein Windhoek offers free yoga classes daily. You don’t even have to bring your own mat. All you do is show up, sign up, and zen up.

Hula hooping is another personal favourite of mine which I don’t need to leave the house (or the onesie) to do. They’re not just for kids. Mr. Price Sport sells adult-sized hula hoops for under N$80, some of which make a fun “shoop” sound when they’re going around. Hula hooping is like dancing or like meditating, and if you’re tempted to think you’ve forgotten how to do it, I promise you, you haven’t.

Speaking of dancing, nights out clubbing can get expensive, messy, and end up in face-palms. Why not just put on your favourite tracks and dance your furry socks off where no one can see you? Not only do you not realize that you’re actually exercising and burning calories, but the flow of endorphins (rainbow hormones, as I like to call them) through your body will have you buzzing without leaving the house. Keep warm and stay chipper this winter with these fun sugges-tions, and don’t let the blues get you down.

WINTER BLUES

By Carol-Lee Peters

The final weeks of classes, assign-ments, tests and presentations have arrived accompanied by winter! The cold and rainy weather may transform most students into becoming clinomaniacs, having an excessive desire to stay in bed.

Most students prefer snuggling in their warm and cosy beds instead of sitting in the cold compiling refer-ence lists. Unfortunately, university does not always allow that especial-ly in these last few weeks. Defrost this winter and resist the seductive call of your warm bed by implementing the following tips:

•Unpack your winter clothes or invest in new winter clothing. Ther-mal clothing items such as winter tights, long-johns and vests worn under clothes provide layers which insulate your body heat. General winter clothing includes socks, hand gloves, beanies, thermal underwear, scarves, boots/closed shoes, coat, jerseys, etc.

•Make sure to add one more blan-ket to your bedding material and a hot water bottle to save those chilli nights. A good tip is to heat up your bed before you go to sleep by placing the hot water bottle under the blankets in various areas.

•Fill-up your pantry with hot beverages such as soup packets, hot chocolate, tea and coffee.

•Invest in a heater. Remember to not leave the heater unattended for long periods of time and to place water in front of it to keep the air moist. Indoor leisure: Attend indoor events/activities which take place early in the evening. Stay hydrated! During winter, hair and skin dries out and becomes flaky. Prevent this by drinking sufficient amount of water, applying sun-screen and a good quality moistur-iser, covering hair when outdoors or style hair in a protective hairstyle such as braiding.

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SURVIVING THIS UPCOMING WINTERBy Melania Simeon

Ugh!! Winter is all fun and cute when you have a new crop of sweaters to wear, or when you have ‘vleis kombers’next to you because winter clothes are relatively expensive. It just makes you want to stay in bed with a hot cocoa and call it a day. Unfortunately, that’s not possible so we are forced to adapt to varsity winter. However, there are seven traditional tips that can help you survive it; maybe you’ll even learn to love winter and its beauty (I do!):

1. Take a pack of tissue with you everywhere: Prevent “snot mitten” (or worse, “hard paper towel nose”) by being prepared - storing a handy pack of tissues in every pocket and bag you own.

2. Vaseline is your best friend: Before bed, slather it all over your hands and feet and pop on a pair of fluffy gloves and socks. Then, let the greasy ointment soothe your dry, rough skin as you sleep. Hand cream is great for on the go (you don’t want that hot guy or girl to reach for your hand and feel scales), but Vaseline is the stuff dreams/soft hands are made of.

3. Get yourself an Onesie, Onesies are a great way to keep you warm as it covers your whole body and they are quite comfortable to sleep in. So do make time to go pop in at Mr Price as they are only N$119.00.

4. Buy yourself a water bottle. With a water bottle you are guaranteed to be warm at least for more than five hours, before the water cools down. Make sure to buy the original water bottle, and not an empty coke bottle, as the water can leak out and burn you.

5. Black tights are the new black (for ladies): You can pair virtually any of your warm-weather dresses or shorts over a pair of black tights for a winter-weather appropriate look. Bonus: If it’s extra cold, layering tights under your pants give you extra protection against the biting wind.

6. Invest in a good “party coat”: The cheaper the better. This coat will be your go-to for parties, so you don’t have to risk ruining or losing that pricey North Face puffy coat and facing the wrath of your parents. It doesn’t have to be cute; it just has to be warm enough to get you from point A (your dorm) to point B (party town).

7. Let’s be realistic, 80% of us might catch a flu during winter, and the worst thing that can happen, is catching a flu during your exams. It does suck really badly but to be on the safe side, it’s wise to get your flu medication now, even before you catch a flu. The cheapest and most effective one is Med Lemon, which is affordable and accessible.An extra tip: Set several alarms.

We all know we struggle to get out of bed when its winter and constantly keep snoozing the alarm for another five minutes. To make sure you will get out of bed on time start setting your alarms at least 30 minutes prior to when you actually NEED to get out of bed

Follow our UNAM Echo Facebook page and share with us what some of your cold weather tips are and stand a chance to win big with various winter essentials.

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5 HEALTH BENEFITS OF COCONUT OIL By Nelao Immanuel

Complaining about dry skin, stretch marks, dry hair and health problems? Well, coconut oil is here to help spread the love by ending dry skin, reducing stretch marks and contributing to healthy hair.

Using coconut oil has so many benefits especially this winter. Its benefits include weight loss, better brain func-tions, excellent skin health and many more. Coconut oil known as the copra oil is an edible oil extracted from the meat of mature coconut.

•Coconut oil can help you lose fat, especially the harmful abdominal fat; meaning it can help you lose harmful fat that is not needed in your body. It helps you lose fat which is associated with chronic diseases.

•Coconut oil can protect hair against damage, moisturise skin and function as a screen protector. It is wonderful as a face cleanser and moisturiser that treats so many skin disorders. Many people are using it as a cosmetic in order to leave their skin glowing and hair more moisturised. You can make your own home-made coconut oil lavender shampoo to improve your hair.

•Coconut oil can improve blood cholesterol levels, since it contains healthy fats, which can protect you against heart diseases.

•Prevents gum diseases and tooth decay because it has a high concentration of anti-bacterial MCFA. By swishing the oil in your mouth, it denatures the bacteria thus removing the oral bacteria. I would recommend coconut oil three times a week for 10-15 minutes.

•Lastly, coconut oil helps remove stretch mark on the skin when applied every day. It makes a huge difference. Consistency is the key word. Using it every day makes it easier for you to see results.

Not all coconut oil is the same.In order to enjoy the health benefits outlined above, you must get organic, virgin oil and not the refined stuff. You can get it anywhere. You just now have to know which one to choose. So enjoy this very versatile product!!!!!

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Q: I am a 21-year old girl and have trust issues. I was once hurt by a guy that I was dating and now I find it hard to trust any guy.

A: I sense the lack of trust is a result of heartbreak or betrayal. All guys are not the same. I understand what happened to you, but you may just lose out on a good guy that may come with good intentions. Learn to trust again.

Q: When my boyfriend and I argue, my friends always give me advice but some of the advice I get just makes things worse.

A: All advice does not work the same for everyone. What works for your friends might not work for you because you are dating differ-ent people. So, whatever advice you get try to relate it to your situation.

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Q: Dear Aunt, my name is Tiko and I am doing my first year at UNAM. I really need help on how to manage my budget as a student. I find myself already broke just a few weeks after I receive my allow-ance from home. Please help. A: Dear Tiko, University life is not easy when it comes to managing your resources especially time and money. I hope these tips can help you learn to use your allowance well.

CREATE A BUDGET: Starting a semester with a plan and a real-istic budget will help you keep a lid on unnecessary spending. List your monthly income sources and write down estimated expenses for the month. Necessary items such us school supplies, food outside your meal card and personal care items should be top of your budget priorities.

SEPARATE WANTS FROM NEEDS: Items such as a new hair style is a want and not a need there-fore it should be at the bottom of your budget list. After a few months on campus you would have known the expenses and it becomes easier to distinguish between wants and needs.

KEEP MONEY IN AN AC-COUNT: Keeping money in the bank is one way for a student to save because it is easier to spend hard cash than banked money.

Q: Dear Aunty, I am a second year student from a very disadvan-taged background. My mother sometimes struggles with getting me money for transport and I am thinking of giving up on school.

A: Just hang in there little champ, things will be fine soon. Every good thing starts with a struggle. Don’t worry about it too much, rather let your mother do the worrying! It now behoves you to give her hope that she is not struggling in vain by having good results. I wish you all the best.

AUNTY KNOWS BEST

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AUNTY KNOWS BEST

UNAM CAMPUSES HP CAMPUS TEACHERS AND NURSES TAKE THEIR OATHS By Cecilia Garises

Hifikenpunye Pohamba Campus, together with students from the Oshakati campus, recently held their annual Act of Dedication and oath-taking ceremony for education and nursing students respectively.The graduating teachers and nurses made their pledge in front of hundreds of guests who attended the ceremo-ny. They swore to adhere to the rules and regulations of their professions and to serve the country and the world wholeheartedly.

The ceremony was held in the campus’ Main Hall building where the best overall students received awards. The ceremony was graced by the presence of the Hifikepunye Pohamba Campus Assistant Pro Vice Chancellor, Dr Sakaria Iipinge, who welcomed guests; Dr Helena Miranda, Deputy Director, Academic Affairs & Research, Dr. Louise Pretorius, Associate Dean, School Of Nursing and Dr. Sabina David, Head of Department of Midwife-ry.In attendance was also the Faculty of Health Sciences School of Nursing Oath taking committee that ensured that the Lamp Lighting Ceremony was done before the nurses took their oaths. Guests were entertained by the UNAM choir and the Hifikepunye Pohamba (HP) campus cultural troupe.

KHOMASDAL CAMPUS TO FEATURE AT SRC/STUDENTS’ FORUM By Erenst Zemburuka

Khomasdal campus will be well represented at the ‘Urgent SRC Stu-dent Forum’ taking place at UNAM Main Campus, said Panduleni Ng-hifikwa, Secretary for Information and Publicity.

“It is important for Khomasdal campus to be involved in these matters,” Nghifikwa said.

“After all, we share the same prob-lems.”

The forum was held at the Universi-ty of Namibia’s main campus on the 9th May 2017 at 15:00 in the Gym Hall and tackled issues such as NSFAF delayed payments, delayed UNAM refunds amongst others.

SAM NUJOMA CAMPUS LAUNCHES ENVIRONMENTAL AND FISHERIES SOCIETY By Rackel Shikongo

The Assistant Pro-Vice chancellor (APVC) of Sam Nujoma Campus and the mayor of Henties Bay gave kudos to students for forming the Environmental and Fisheries Society as this is a positive for the ecosystem. They made the remarks recently during the official launch of the society.

Dr Hilka Ndjaula, the APVC stressed the importance of the society noting that it would assist in raising commu-nity awareness of both local and global environment and fisheries issues.

“It is hence a great achievement to the Sam Nujoma Campus,” Ndjaula said. “The society will help present easy and practical ways where everyone can take part to reduce the campus and coastal community’s negative ecolog-ical footprints.”

His Worship Hon. Herman /Honeb, the mayor of Henties Bay said that the Municipality of Henties Bay has an overall objective the environmental cleanliness of the town and its entire coastline. He thus sees the Society’s formation and objectives as complimentary to that of the municipality.

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Henigel Environmental Trust which advocates for reduction of plastic littering along the coast, provided funds for the launch and intends to sponsor many of the activities of the society including environmental education and awareness, ecological tours, clean-up campaigns and many more that are planned for the year.

Brave Shapange SRC for internal and external affairs said the society is a step in the right direction as it provides a platform to aid understanding of environmental conservation and aquatic studies.

“This is a very active and well organized society,” said Onesmus Shikongo a second year student at the campus. “This can be seen in a majority of the students signing up already.”

There were different activities during the launch to commemorate International Earth Day that was observed on the 22nd April 2017. Freebies were also given away during the launch.

“ NEUDAMM CAMPUS IS OVERCROWDED - STUDENTS By Rita Mwanza and Margaret Kampamba

The University of Namibia Neudamm campus is experiencing overcrowding thus making it not very conducive for academic work.

According to a student at Neudamm Campus, Sara (not her real name), the University recently introduced post graduate studies without taking into consideration the available space.

Sara acknowledged that the university is expanding the premises but at a slow rate.

“As a result, we are having masters’ students sharing rooms which is not ideal,” Sara said. “This is because the population has gradually increased.”

Ndeshi Tuhafeni a veterinary student sees the issue from another angle. She complained about the shortage of farm produce every time they are put on sale.

Tuhafeni said the campus used to have enough produce for both students and lecturers but not anymore due to the increase in number of students on campus.

Efforts made to contact campus management proved futile as they were not available for comment.

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COFFEE POT

NOTHING BEATS THE ‘OWAMBO’ CHICKEN By Melania Simeon Traditional food has always been the ideal menu for tourists visiting Namibia and the aging sections of our society who still prefer keeping their roots in ancient cooking styles. However, Wambo chicken has become the hottest selling property in the country with demand for it ranging from the young to the old.

The live chickens are sold by the roadside opposite the Horse Shoe market in Katutura. One live chicken costs about N$37.50 or you can get one skinned and ready at single quarters for N$50-00.

Basic Owambo Chicken Recipe

– Place the cleaned chicken pieces in a clean pot– Add salt to taste– If you desire, add turmeric or curry powder to colour– Add a bit of water (do not submerge the chicken pieces in water)– Put to boil– Once the water has drained, fry a bit with marula oil– If the chicken is still not tender, add a bit of water again and let it boil at low heat– Continue with the process of frying and adding a bit of water until it is tender– NB: Usually cooks for about 45 minutes and it’s ready to serve

For an exotic flavour, add mixed herbs, sour cream and vinegar during the frying process. Add vegetables like tomatoes and onions to create a ‘lekker’ traditional sauce. Garnish with fresh basil and serve with Mahangu porridge or Mahangu sponge bread.

GRANMA’S CROCK-POT CHICKEN CHILLI By Melania SimeonWhen we get busy, it’s easy to just stop at Baines or Emona Tuck shop and pick up that delicious potato chips and Russians for dinner. Trust me, I spent an entire quarter of a semester eating that because I was always too tired to cook myself a proper meal after my lectures or I had tons of assignments and a research paper to work on. But af-ter a while, I started running out of money, and both my bank account and my parents were not pleased with me.This one-pot wonder can make anything from soup to pork to desserts.

Chilli in particular is super easy and great for a busy day out of the house. Simply throw the ingredients into the Crock-Pot before class, work hard all day and come home to a warm, comforting bowl of chicken chilli. You’ll wonder why you haven’t been doing this every night.

Easy Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 8 hours | Total Time: 8 hours, 10 minutes | Servings: 6 | Ingredients:1 pound boneless, skinless, chicken breasts, 2 cans of white beans, drained and rinsed, 14.5 oz. can dice tomatoes2 cups chicken broth, 1 medium onion, chopped, 3 medium carrots, chopped’,3 garlic cloves, minced, 1 bay leaf1 ½ tablespoons crushed red pepper (optional), ¼ teaspoon salt, Dash of pepper

Directions: 1. Place chicken breast in Crock-Pot. 2. Pour remaining ingredients over chicken. 3. Set Crock-Pot on “low” and cook for 7 hours. 4. Remove chicken breasts from Crock-Pot. Shred chicken breast with two forks. The chicken will be extremely tender, so this will be easy!5. Return chicken to Crock-Pot and cook for one more hour. 6. Keep Crock-Pot on “warm” until you’re ready to eat.

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TRAVEL

It´s a travel thIng… By Marlena Pompino

Alright we have reached the end of our little journey through the cheapest countries of this world. The semester is ending and I won´t be able to continue with this series. Therefore, let me introduce the last stop for now … South America.

The first and cheapest country is Bolivia. Bolivia might be unshaped and rough around the edges but it is known for its amazing scenery and, therefore, the opportunities for trekking and hiking. It has a lot of jungle, untouched areas and sweeping forbidden expanses that lead you further into the wild. Its activities and attractions, like its churches and museums as well as outside activities, are mostly free or very cheap to visit. The average accommodation is about 10$ per night and transport for about 0.60$. Meals are usually about 7$ and an estimated 5$ for a drink. With about 2$ for attractions, it adds up to a daily budget of around 24.60$. Photo by: mining.com

Next up is the second cheapest country in South America Ecuador.

Ecuador identifies with its colonial architectural trea sures, picturesque plazas and meandering cobbled streets. Joined by the amazing Amazon rain forest, majestic volcanoes and there is the beauty of Ecuador. Open air markets and free walking tours by local guides can bring you closer to the Ecuador ian culture. The best part would be the fact that travel to Ecuador can be very inexpensive. Accommodations go for about 11$ per night and transport for about 0.50$. Meals are usually about 9$ and an estimated 3$ for a drink. With about 5$ for attractions it adds up to a daily budget of around 28.50$. Pho to by: livewellecuador.com

And last but not least there is Columbia.

Probably one of the most visited countries of the three and therefore the most expensive. Columbia has a Caribbean coast, towering Andean mountains and mysterious Amazon jungle which makes it one of the most exotic and alluring countries in South America. The culture clash of Spanish, Caribbean and Indigenous cultures with their amazing cuisine, breath-taking architecture and nice people creates a warm and inviting country. And of course, it is inexpensive.

Accommodations go for about 12$ and transport for 2$. Meals are generally around 12$ as well, with drinks that go for about 4$. Attractions round up to about 7$, which gives an estimated daily budget of 37$. I have nothing more to say now other than that you have ideas of where to go and what to do when you get there.

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THANK YOU NAMIBIA: IT WAS NICE TO MEET YOU! By Marlena Pompino

My time here, in the country that is called Namibia, is ending. I have now spent about 10 months here and I really had my ups and downs during my stay here. University bureaucracy is and probably will be a struggle for a while. Emona Hostel is also something you should get used to early rather than later. I mean only double rooms and shared kitchens in ”not perfect” states and a curfew for visitors, making it look like you are not over 18 years old and in charge of your own choices.

But I made friends rather quickly. Thank God for that. I think without those friends I would not have lasted the whole year. A country that I saw as different from the one I am from, you definitely need friends to get adjusted, through it all.

Nonetheless, this is an experience that I will carry with me for the rest of my life and absolutely one not to be for-gotten. It was my first time in Africa, and Namibia was the right choice to start with. Being away for a long time from everything you know and are used to is scary enough but it could have gotten so much worse.A semester abroad is something you as a student have the chance to do and you have to. It is an experience that I believe no one should miss out on. Of course, there are obstacles; money, family and the choice to go in the first place. But I will promise one thing and that is that it will make you grow. Grow intellectuality and foster an open mind for new cultures, people and landscapes.

However, this article is not here to promote a semester abroad or so, it is to say “thank you”. Thank you to the people that welcomed me so nicely, the teachers and professors who helped me adjust and pass (at least so far) and to my family for making this possible in the first place.

I am grateful to everyone that made this year that I have spent here as amazing as it was and I can promise here and now that this is not my last time here… Or as Arnold Schwarzenegger would say “I will be back!”

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UNAM RUGBY TEAM OPTIMISTIC ABOUT RETAINING TITLE By Howard SibandaThe UNAM rugby team, The Titans, is very optimistic about their chances of defending the league cup this sea-son. This is based on their track record of not having lost a match since last season.

The log leaders, UNAM, are currently unbeaten in the last 18 games, with 30 points and they are five points clear from second place Wanderers. The team is hoping to stretch their unbeaten run during the second half of the season, which will kick start in the next two weeks. Speaking to UNAM Echo, Barry Gande, a flanker in the UNAM rugby team said the team has a good squad depth which gives the team the edge to be a tough opponent to face.

“Rugby is an unpredictable sport, anything can happen and any team can give a good game,” Gande added.The undisputed domestic champions who have won the league two consecutive times are hoping to retain the title and make history by becoming the first club to bag a treble in winning the premier league title back to back.The champions faced a tough match in the FNB derby against Western Suburbs, which the reigning champions won by a narrow margin.

“We want to make history in Namibia by doing what has never been done in the history of rugby, which is de-fending and retaining the title,” said Jeffery Werner, UNAM Sports Officer.

The champions have a home game against Walvis Bay Rugby club when the second half of the season kicks off and The Titans will hope to stretch their unbeaten streak by defeating Walvis Bay, with the hope of reaching the semi-finals and the finals in order to retain the title and make history.

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As students we face a lot of challenges, so why not laugh at our pain. Here are some jokes, memes and comics cos-tumed to make your jaws drop.By Tove Jeomba Kangotue MEMES

COMIC

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