New nurses officially joins profession

New nurses officially joins profession - 27.02.2013 

A new group of nurses were officially welcomed into their new profession yesterday after receiving their certificates of registration.

They received their registration package which includes a certificate, licence, copies of the Nurses and Midwives Act 1985 caps 150, Nurses and Midwives Regulations 1989 and code of ethics and professional conducts in a ceremony held at the Sheikh Khalifa diagnostic centre.

The ceremony organised by the Seychelles Nurses and Midwives Council was attended by principal secretary for health Veronique Laporte, council members, nurses and other health officials.

Addressing those present at the ceremony, the council’s chairperson Linda Philoe said nurses being the core of health workforce worldwide play an integral part in the dynamic process of healthcare for patients, families and communities.

She added that the essence of nursing care is about improving the patients’ experience and outcomes throughout their health journey.

Mrs Philoe called on the nurses to carry out their duties with compassion, care, diligence and to have high regards in maintaining professional standards.

Certificates were also given to the local team for African health profession regulatory collaborative for nurses and midwives in the region, council members, nurses and midwives from various sectors who have engaged in the review of the Nurses and Midwives Act 1985 caps 150.

The new nurses also pledged to uphold their profession regardless of the circumstances and to perform their duties to the best of their ability, at all times.

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orum to promote responsible and safe online browsing

Education

| Forum to promote responsible and safe online browsing - 27.02.2013 The international safer internet day is celebrated annually on the second day of the second week of the second month.     Mr Laurence of Cable & Wireless and Mr Matombé of NCC addressing the guests at the forum This year is the 10th anniversary of the safer internet day which was celebrated worldwide with the slogan “Connect with respect” and the theme “Online rights and responsibilities”. Safer internet day this year was celebrated on February 5 with activities and lessons organised at school level to promote the theme online rights and responsibilities. The initiative by the Ministry of Education to hold a forum for promoting safe, secure and responsible online browsing and to mark safer internet day started in 2012. The forum this year was held on February 22 in the School of Education auditorium, and was attended by the principal secretary for education Merida Delcy, officers from the Ministry of Education, as well as students and educators from primary, secondary and post secondary education institutions. Officers from the National Council for Children (NCC) and the Cable & Wireless Seychelles (CWS) were also present at the forum. The general aim of the forum was to help the participants understand their rights and responsibilities and to appreciate that new media technologies bring solutions as well as challenges. In so doing also understand the consequences of inappropriate and irresponsible uses of new media technologies, for example accessing or posting inappropriate or harmful materials. In her opening address, Ms Delcy said that promoting online safety should not be only through a forum once a year but a belief that we should all uphold daily, every time we and our children are online, so that they are constantly reminded of the potential dangers of being online and the importance of taking precautions to stay safe. She added that internet safety is not about a lot of rules, but rather it is about respecting and protecting yourself and others online, and about knowing your rights and your responsibilities and respecting the rights of others online. During his presentation, the NCC’s communication co-ordinator Jean Claude Matombé presented an overview of the similarities between the rights and responsibilities of a person in the online and offline world. He pointed out that a person’s rights and responsibilities do not stop when he is online. We have the right to express ourselves when we are online and we are responsible for our actions as they affect others, just as we are responsible for our actions in the offline world. Schools and parents cannot enforce extreme restrictions on the use of technology in order to protect children. Whereas at school access to websites that are improper or which contain harmful software is limited so as to maintain a safe working, educational environment, children are still able to access harmful content when they are outside the classroom and unsupervised. Mr Matombé called on the parents to be more vigilant and aware of what their children are doing online, as nowadays more and more children have access to internet through mobile devices at an earlier age. He noted that the same rules we set for our children in their normal everyday life should be applied in the online world. For instance, we tell our children not to talk to strangers or give their phone numbers or personal information to anyone they meet on the street, and yet our children are doing the opposite while they are online. During the second presentation at the forum, Christopher Laurence, products and services executive from CWS, explained how SafeNet, the company’s new service, will help parents and businesses remove the risk of accessing restricted sites and harmful content while online. Mr Laurence said the SafeNet service should not be a replacement for the customer’s antivirus software, but rather an additional safety feature to complement their existing virus protection software. The service which will be available at the end of February comes in three different bundles to suit the different customers’ needs. During the forum, the audience was able to make comments and ask questions after each presentation.  They also viewed an animated story about netiquettes (etiquette on the net) and a video clip of a song with messages about the safety precautions they should take before they go online and while online.

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Agencies meet to assess disease outbreak plan

Agencies meet to assess disease outbreak plan - 27.02.2013 Representatives of various local agencies, governmental departments and organisations met yesterday morning to appraise the current measures to control and deal with a disease outbreak.  They included people from the Fire and Rescue Services Agency, Police department, Divisions of Risk and Disaster Management, department of finance, the United Nations Development Programme, and the department of environment. Following the recent flooding in various parts of Mahé, the Ministry of Health through its surveillance picked up three new disease outbreaks, namely dengue, hand, foot and mouth disease, and gastroenteritis. The ministry said dengue is the most serious in terms of damage it can cause and in terms of difficulty to control. During the meeting, there were presentations by three representatives from the Ministry of Health, who each explained a specific part of their ministry’s role in the disaster response. Dr Jude Gédéon said that in the face of the three epidemics all agencies should come together to give a helping hand. Dr Jastin Bibi spoke about the local situation, where he said there are 70 suspected cases of dengue, around 400 households affected, and 32 families displaced, with La Digue being the most affected area. Dr Meggy Louange gave a presentation about the response the ministry has mounted so far, which includes outreach programme for the residents affected, door-to-door visits, giving advice, working with the Ministry of Education to close affected schools and many more measures. As for La Digue, they dealt with the high infestation of mosquitoes that had propagated in the stagnant water left behind after flooding took place. A representative from the World Health Organisation gave an outline of the plan of the response with the possible cost they could bring. He outlined some of the measures that could be taken to deal with the disaster and its aftermath, as well as some possible expenses which one expects could be incurred on the response plan. The meeting took place in the presence of the Minister for Environment and Energy Professor Rolph Payet, the Minister for Land Use and Housing Christian Lionnet, several principal secretaries, and other government officials. Also present were representatives of the World Health Organisation and the World Bank. Addressing those present, Minister Payet said for the best results all stakeholders would have to work together. “We need to have deadlines and targets, and also a team who measures the effectiveness of the activities we do,” he said.

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Fisheries minister urges higher quality control

Agriculture & Marine Resources

| Fisheries minister urges higher quality control - 19.02.2013 “If Seychelles is not able to meet the challenges of being able to service the expanding fishing industry, this will affect our ability to export our fish to our major market which is the European Union.” The remark was made by the Minister for Natural Resources and Industry Peter Sinon following a visit he made to the Fish Inspection and Quality Control Unit on Flamboyant Avenue yesterday morning. Minister Sinon explained that the fisheries sector is set to expand especially now that there is a lot of interest shown following President James Michel’s visit to Sri Lanka last year. “President Michel’s visit to Sri Lanka has brought a wide range of opportunity for us to have more fishing vessels. There has been an increasing interest by Seychellois investors to tap into the sector, the Bank of Ceylon is putting at our disposal a line of credit to develop the sector,”  said Mr Sinon. He said all these new development are coming with new challenges for small Seychelles especially with regard to providing onshore facilities and support, thus the need to raise the standard of the Fish Inspection and Quality Control Unit for the continued prosperity of the sector. “It is important to see the inspectors on the ground, see where they work, understand the constraints and challenges they face and seek ways to resolve them so as to improve the working conditions and environment for them to better cater for an expanding fishing industry. This in my opinion is the best thing to do before the investors come in so that when they do come in they will find a smooth, effective and efficient competent authority,” he added. Mr Sinon also noted that soon the auditors from the European Union will be in the country to assess the efficiency of the local competent authority. “Our aim is to have as few issues as possible and to have addressed all recommendations put before us when they came in 2011,” Mr Sinon stressed. He said the visit has allowed him to apprise of the work being done by the unit which is key to ensuring that all fish being exported and transported abroad meet the required standard and quality. He was led on the visit by Christopher Hoareau, a chief fish inspector responsible of the unit which falls under the Seychelles Bureau of Standards (SBS), and the latter’s chief executive Amy Quatre. Mr Sinon said the visit also allowed him to discuss with the workers the different challenges and shortcomings of the unit, assess its different needs in terms of equipment, improve staff working environment, capacity building as well as space to expand and see how best to help address the pertinent issues to allow the unit to improve on the quality of services it provides. “This year is an important one for the Seychelles fishing sector as the country’s fishing industry prepares to start renegotiating its fishing partnership agreement with the European Union, and being a key component in the fish export process it is therefore fitting to apprise of the unit’s needs and challenges,” Minister Sinon said. According to Mr Hoareau, the unit comprises a very young team of workers and among them seven fish inspectors – the majority of them being very young graduates. “Our team is very young and full of potential which we want to develop to the maximum with the necessary training so as to turn them into professional fish inspectors for the future with the help and support of the government,” said Mr Hoareau. He stressed that more and more the international standard recommendations for fish inspection are being set higher and are getting more and more complicated and as an exporter we have to abide by them, thus the need for highly trained inspectors. Noting that fish export is the second pillar of our economy with the fishing industry continuously expanding and the products being subjected to higher recommended international norms, there is a need for higher qualification for our graduates, Mrs Quatre noted. She brought to Minister Sinon’s attention the need to upgrade the level of training courses being offered to prospective candidates at the Maritime Training Centre (MTC) to work as fish inspectors. “The level of the certificate graduates are receiving at the end of their training at MTC does not provide the needed requirements for them to proceed to university studies,” Mrs Quatre noted. “As the fishing industry expands there is the need for highly qualified cadres to help meet the increasing demands for quality services and international standards,” added Mrs Quatre, who thanked Mr Sinon for understanding the importance of the unit in the country’s expanding fishing sector. Apart from inspecting all fresh, frozen fish and also canned fish products, the unit is also responsible to analyse fish samples which it collects from different fishing vessels for different types of tests as required by the European Union. It works in close collaboration with the SBS.

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State-of-the-Nation address today

President James Michel

| State-of-the-Nation address today - 19.02.2013 President James Michel will deliver his nationwide year 2013 State-of-the-Nation address to the National Assembly today at 5pm. The event, which will be broadcast live on radio and television, will mark the National Assembly’s first sitting for the first term of 2013. It is a constitutional requirement that the head of state delivers a State-of-the Nation Address on the occasion of the first National Assembly sitting each year. After the address, the Assembly will adjourn until Friday February 22, 2013 at 9am when leaders from both sides of the house -- Leader of the Opposition David Pierre and Leader of Government Business Marie-Antoinette Rose -- will give their replies to the address. This will be followed by three days of debates by other members of the National Assembly. Seychelles Nation will publish the full text of the address (the English version) in its issue tomorrow and also carry highlights of the speech in its news pages.

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SOUTH AFRICA AND SEYCHELLES FURTHER WIDEN SCOPE OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Press release

18^th February 2013

SOUTH AFRICA AND SEYCHELLES FURTHER WIDEN SCOPE OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

The Seychelles Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Jean-Paul Adam has held high-level discussions with several South African Ministers and government following his attendance of the South African State of the Nation address by President Jacob Zuma in Cape Town last week.

Minister Adam met Minister Rob Davies, the Minister for Trade and Industry, as well as with his counterpart Minister Maite Mashabane, the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, and Deputy Minister Marius Fransman.

As a continuation of talks held with Minister Mshabane during her visit to Seychelles last month, Minister Adam has highlighted the strategic partnership that exists between the two countries, and discussed proposals by which this partnership may be further strengthened.

In his discussions the Minister noted that South Africa was a critical link for Seychelles in terms of trade with the rest of the world. 

“The Government of Seychelles appreciates South Africa’s support towards our bid to join the World Trade Organisation, and we are also looking towards reducing the costs of trade between our two countries as well as facilitating trade through regional partnerships such as under the aegis of SADC,” said the Minister.

Minister Adam has reiterated the importance for regional countries to continually work together to bring about a true maritime corridor aimed at boosting the development of all countries in the region and enhancing the ‘blue economy’.  The Minister noted that the strengthening of the maritime trading links on the African continent has been a key subject of discussions between President James Michel and President Jacob Zuma in recent years.

During their talks the Ministers also agreed that Seychelles and South Africa are well placed to mutually support each other on developing the tourism potential of the region. Minister Adam called for enhanced cultural exchanges, and praised the participation of groups from theWestern Cape and Kwazulu Natal in the recent Seychelles International Carnival had been very successful and was bringing the people of the two countries closer together.

Minister Adam has also continued discussion aimed at enhancing youth exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.  In this context, Minister Adam met with Mr. Shaun Johnson of the Mandela-Rhodes Foundation, with which Seychelles is already cooperating through the Young Leaders Programme.

In relation to international issues of mutual concern, the two countries have also resolved to continue supporting the resolution of the crisis inMadagascar through the holding of free fair and credible elections in the country.  During his visit, Minister Adam briefed the South African government on the support that the Indian Ocean Commission will be bringing to the process through the liaison office to be established, which will also work closely with the SADC office.

 

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Seychelles tourism officer new Secretary General of Italy tourism association

Seychelles tourism officer new Secretary General of Italy tourism association

February 18, 2013 in Business Travel

(Forimmediaterelease.net) The Seychelles Tourism Board for Italy announced during the BITM 2013 trade show in Milan, Italy, that Monette Rose, the Seychelles Tourism Board Director for Italy whose office is located in Rome, was elected Secretary General of ADUTEI, the Association of Official Delegates of Tourism Abroad in Italy.

The ADUTEI has 38 country members with more than 90 tourism board members operating in Italy. It brings together official representatives of foreign countries living in Italy and supports foreign offices in Italy ensuring the promotion of their activities in Italy and providing assistance to facilitate their activities on the Italian territory.

The organization works for the benefit of all tourism boards and facilitates joining media outreach and cooperation at trade shows, seminars, and road shows to consolidate costs and extend reach.

Alain St. Ange, Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture in the Seychelles, congratulated Monette Rose and said: “This was great news for Seychelles tourism. Monette’s appointment will increase the visibility of Seychelles as a destination in Italy.”

PHOTO: Monette Rose / Image via seychelles.travel

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Hope for diabetic foot ulcer patients

Hope for diabetic foot ulcer patients - 18.02.2013 
• Thanks to Cuban research

Residents suffering from foot ulcers, caused by diabetes, may no longer have to fear amputation, as their limbs can be saved, thanks to research carried out by the Cuban centre for genetics and biotechnology.

A scientist from the centre, Dr Manuel Raices Perez Castaneda was in Seychelles for two weeks for a demonstrative trial of intra-lesional injections on ten patients -- eight men and two women -- to evaluate the therapy here.

On Friday, he showed the press photos of marked improvement in the conditions of all patients, some of whom have suffered from diabetic foot ulcers, for as long as ten years.
In all instances, there was marked healthy granulation of tissue and healing prospects look good.

Dr Perez Castaneda insists however he was only the consultant and the therapy was conducted by Dr Neobalis Franco, a Cuban vascular surgeon and angiologist working in Seychelles, under the supervision of Dr Henry Telemaque, Consultant in Charge, Surgery Department.

Mr Perez Castaneda first came to Seychelles in July 2012 for an assessment of the Seychelles health situation, especially regarding diabetes.

This follows a request for increased technical assistance for the Health Ministry made by President James Michel during a working visit to Cuba in 2010.

Dr Perez Castaneda, who met Health Minister Mitcy Larue and principal secretary Veronique Laporte, said he found the ministry to be well organised, but that diabetic patients needed assistance, as too many of them were being amputated.

His method involves injecting into the wound a molecule called “Heberprot.p. cigb”, normally found in the saliva of healthy persons.

This is normally done on alternative days and the patient’s response is crucial within the first two weeks. If the patient responds positively, the treatment continues for an average five weeks.

In extreme cases, such as gangrene, the condition may require up to 30 injections to produce results.

Dr Perez Castaneda noted that in instances where there is bad blood circulation, treatment takes longer.

He said the therapy has been tried in Cuba since 2001 and since 2006, 43 major hospitals and close to a hundred clinics are using it.  It is now being used in 15 other countries, notably Venezuela and Brazil.

Dr Telemaque cautioned that though the trials were free, the therapy is rather costly and Seychelles will be expected to fund it.  He said the situation will be assessed from a financial standpoint as the Health Ministry may require an extra budget to fund the therapy.

Dr Perez Castaneda said that he expects that an average 300 diabetic patients with foot ulcers may require the therapy every year.
He noted that though the therapy is not cheap, the benefits besides healing patients are great.
“Fewer amputations mean that more people lead productive lives,” he said.

It also means significant savings, a paying for carers and pensions for persons who become severely handicapped can also constitute a severe strain on the country’s economy.

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| Nostalgia and excitement meet on World Radio Day

| Nostalgia and excitement meet on World Radio Day - 14.02.2013 Nostalgia and excitement yesterday met at the Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation’s Union Vale studio as many older people went to see the equipment used in the past and pictures of yester year announcers. Excited young people – mainly pupils and students – said they went to see today’s radio announcers and the tools they use, as the SBC hosted an exhibition to mark World Radio Day. Our journalist – who is in his 50s – found himself with the group of retired citizens keenly watching an obsolete turntable spinning a 33.3 revolutions per minute “long playing – (LP)” record as technicians next door showed other people how tapes used to be literally cut with razor blades to edit a recording. Both technologies have since been replaced by compact discs, pen drives and micro cassettes. Sadly for the senior visitors, the LP was too well maintained and the stylus did not jump as the record went round and round the way those warped by exposure to extreme heat used to. “I came to see how things work at the SBC,” said La Rosière pupil Andrian Belle, looking at the modern equipment and showing keen interest as announcers spoke live on radio and invited exhibition visitors to take part and send greetings. But retired head teacher Jeanne Etienne said the exhibition reminded her how things used to be in the 1960s, adding like our reporter she also used to own a gramophone but now uses a modern stereo system “with CDs and pen drives”. Impressed with the high number of people who turned up, SBC chief executive Antoine Onezime was heard saying, “Oh, there are so many people I wish we had more space to display more things”. He showed Nation the old and the new equipment explaining the change was gradual: “In the past when we went for interviews we recorded on reel tapes and later we got smaller versions which nevertheless had to be cut during editing like the previous bigger ones. We would remove a section then join them with cello tape. If you discarded a key part then you’d have to go looking for it in the waste paper basket. “Later we moved to digital recorders which were still a bit big and offered no editing options. They just played out,” he said, adding eventually there were even smaller recorders in the 1980s and since the early 2000s came the versions which now allow editing on computer where a reporter does not have to listen to an entire recording in real time. He showed how you select a part, highlight and simply delete unneeded sections. Mr Onezime said the new technology allows the SBC to go on air almost immediately an event is over. Regarding live broadcasts, he said speakers are heard on radio as they speak, with an only 10 second delay which allows reporters and technicians to watch out for inappropriate statements, interrupting unhealthy sections and playing music instead. They have to be very alert because 10 seconds is not a long time, he said. Radio Day is marked all over the world and is aimed at raising awareness about the importance of radio and the access to information it gives. The day also helps promote networking among broadcasters. The radio has to be recognised as a low cost medium, specifically suited to reach remote communities and vulnerable people: the illiterate, the disabled, women, youth and the poor, while offering a platform to intervene in the public debate, irrespective of people’s educational level. Furthermore, radio has a strong and specific role in emergency communication and disaster relief. There is also a changing face to radio services which, in the present times of media convergence, are taking up new technological forms, such as broadband, mobiles and tablets.  However, it is said that up to a billion people still do not have access to radio today.

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Catholics in Seychelles saddened by Pope Benedict’s resignation

Catholics in Seychelles saddened by Pope Benedict’s resignation - 14.02.2013 

Following the announcement of the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI this week, President James Michel has extended the best wishes of the people and government of Seychelles to His Holiness.

“It is with consternation and deep sorrow that the people of Seychelles have learnt of your decision to renounce the Ministry of Bishop of Rome…

“The Catholics of Seychelles fully understand the reason motivating the decision of Your Holiness and sympathise with you but are nonetheless saddened by it,” said the President.

The President added that His Holiness has been a “source of great inspiration to us all, the gentle voice which spoke with such humility yet radiated the strength of boundless moral and spiritual leadership, love and compassion”.

In thanking His Holiness for the spiritual guidance he has provided over the years to the world, the President extended a personal thanks for the privilege of having been received by the Pope on two occasions.

“They left a lasting impression on me and I shall treasure those memories for the rest of my life,” said the President.
President Michel met with His Holiness in September 2006 and in October 2010.

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Greece aims to take ties to new heights

Greece aims to take ties to new heights - 14.02.2013 

Ambassador Eleftherios Kouvaritakis of the Hellenic Republic – better but unofficially known as Greece – has presented his credentials to President James Michel and pledged to help take ties between the two countries to new heights.

The accreditation on Tuesday comes more than three years after his predecessor left the country and Mr Kouvaritakis said he would like to renew the cooperation we used to enjoy.

He said in his discussions with Mr Michel, they talked about the brotherly relations Seychelles and Greece have maintained since we got independence as well as our President’s keen interest in environmental conservation issues, an area the two countries “can have very good cooperation”.

He hopes to reestablish cooperation scholarships in technical and other areas and now is a good opportunities to renew such bonds, he said.

He said the two countries have similar views regarding global issues for example piracy – a topic he and Mr Michel discussed at length.

He said our islands deserve recognition as an ideal tourism destination, adding he extended his stay here to three days as this is an ideal place to visit, adding he would be happy to bring his family here and advise his compatriots to do likewise.

Greece's name differs in comparison with the names used for the country in other languages and cultures, just like the names of the Greeks. Although its 11 million citizens call their country Hellas or Ellada and its official name is the Hellenic Republic, in English the country is called Greece, which comes from Latin Graecia as used by the Romans and literally means the land of the Greeks.

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Seychelles tourism ambassadors from around the world come together for Carnival 2013 in Seychelles

Seychelles tourism ambassadors from around the world come together for Carnival 2013 in Seychelles

February 12, 2013 in Travel Related

(Forimmediaterelease.net) The Seychelles Tourism Ambassador Program was launched some three years ago to recognize Seychellois nationals now living and working in the four corners of the world and to use their contacts and local knowledge of their new adopted country to help promote the islands. This week the tourism ambassadors rallied together and prepared a float in the 2013 edition of the Carnaval International de Victoria that is staged annually in Seychelles.

With Maryvonne Pool, who is based in Tanzania; Rita Romain-Richer from Paris, France; Melton Ernesta from Jamaica; Rita Underwood from the UK; K.K. Patel from Mauritius; and Donna Wallin and Audrey Bovin from Switzerland leading the way, they managed to show their spirit of togetherness as they flew the flag of each country where a Seychelles tourism ambassador is today accredited. “It was refreshing to see our very own Seychellois living right around the world rally together to put up a carnival float depicting the group they all form a part of. Tourism ambassadors are our foot soldiers in well over thirty countries of the world, and it is always encouraging when you see them dedicating time and money to come out to support an event such as the annual Carnaval International de Victoria," the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture said.

Minister Alain St.Ange said that the Seychelles tourism ambassadors needed to be congratulated for this initiative, because they have done their country proud. A larger group of Seychelles tourism ambassadors are expecting to again join together to again march in the carnival parade at the 2014 edition o the Carnaval International de Victoria in Seychelles.

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Foreign journalist dies in boat accident

Foreign journalist dies in boat accident - 11.02.2013 

A journalist with Dubai Eye, Rebecca Davidson, was killed in a boat collision while on assignment in Seychelles on Friday night.

In a joint communiqué, the Ministry of Home Affairs and Transport, and the Ministry of Tourism and Culture said the boat accident occurred around 9.30pm on Friday February 8 in the channel between the main island of Mahé and Sainte Anne Island.

A boat travelling to Sainte Anne Island with five foreign visitors and staff of the island resort, and another boat with only the skipper onboard collided, which resulted in a serious accident.

Davidson, 35, sustained injuries during the collision, and was pronounced dead upon her arrival at the Seychelles Hospital. Four persons were taken to hospital for examination and one of them, a British national, Lucy Taylor, a news editor at the same station, was admitted for observation and released on Saturday.

The journalists were on a press trip to cover the third Carnaval International de Victoria.
The communiqué adds that in accordance with established procedure, the Seychelles Maritime Safety Administration has opened a formal investigation to ascertain the exact cause of the accident. Simultaneously the Seychelles Police have also launched a formal investigation into the incident. 

“It is deeply regrettable that this tragedy has taken place and we are ensuring that a full investigation is carried out. The safety of passengers using ferries between the islands is of paramount importance for our islands, and such accidents are rare. The investigation will reveal the exact causes of the collision and will enable the authorities to take appropriate action,” said Joel Morgan, the Minister for Home Affairs and Transport.

Tourism and Culture Minister Alain St Ange said: "We would like to express our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Rebecca Davidson. We are saddened by the loss of the life of Rebecca, and the trauma suffered by everyone else onboard. We are doing everything to provide support to the affected passengers and their families."

Minister St Ange, together with Minister Morgan, met the four visitors at the Seychelles Hospital immediately following the accident to provide all necessary support.

Davidson, 35, was the deputy head of programming at the network’s news center, and was working on travel-related stories for the station Dubai Eye. She had been with the station for two years.

Described as a wonderful individual who was full of life, admired hugely by her colleagues and well loved by all who knew her, Davidson studied communication at AUT University. She went on to work for TVNZ as a journalist and producer for One News and Breakfast before moving to Dubai.

Mahmoud Al Rasheed, Arabian Radio Network (ARN) general manager said: “We are one family at ARN and all of us would like to send our condolences to the family of Rebecca. She will be greatly missed by the entire team at ARN.”

Steve Smith, ARN chief operating officer said: “We are shocked and saddened at the loss of Rebecca, who was a key member of our team, a close friend to all and without a doubt a talented, rising star of the future. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Rebecca’s family in New Zealand.”

"Rebecca was a joy to work with and fun to be around," said Kate Barry, a South African television producer who worked with her at Baynounah Media Group in Abu Dhabi.

"She was a talented, intelligent journalist with a wry sense of humour, and with her great singing voice even the daily commute to Abu Dhabi was something we looked forward to."

TVNZ, New Zealand's national broadcaster where Davidson had worked previously, paid her a tribute on their website.

The television channel said: "Before moving to Dubai, Davidson worked at TVNZ for six years from 1998 to 2004. She held a number of roles, starting as a researcher and newsroom assistant, before becoming a producer for Breakfast and Business and later the sole charge reporter for One News based at Rotorua."

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Dogley continues to lead handball, prepares for exciting season

Handball - 11.02.2013 
Dogley continues to lead handball, prepares for exciting season

The local handball family has kept confidence in Norbert Dogley to lead them to more success in the coming years.

Mr Dogley, who chaired the caretaker committee before being elected as the first Seychelles Handball Federation (SHF) chairman in 2003, will lead local handball for another two seasons – his sixth two-year terms.

Mr Dogley will for the next two years work with a new secretary general – Sharon Labrosse – who has taken over from Marie-Claire Chetty. As for Helmy Riage, he is back with the sport as treasurer after a four-year absence. Riage was instrumental in getting handball off the ground here.

The eight ordinary members voted into office are Marie-Claire Chetty, Bernard Valentin, Danny Philoé, Nathalie Samynadin, Alix Dufresne, Tony Hortère, Sharon Hokan and Emmanuel Larue.

While Philoé has the task of heading the technical committee, Larue is responsible for the referees’ committee.
Speaking to Sports Nation, Mr Dogley said his federation aims to prepare the country’s under-17 teams for next year’s Jeux de la Commission de la Jeunesse et des Sports de l’Océan Indien (CJSOI) in Djibouti and the Indian Ocean Club Championship (IOCC) in November.

Mr Dogley explained that besides the normal local competitions, local handballers will get the opportunity to play against opponents form the Indian Ocean region.

“Last year, Seychelles’ handball celebrated 10 years of existence and we did not organise something special. We will try to do it this year although our main targets are preparing our country’s teams for the Jeux de la CJSOI and IOCC,” he said.

“The teams who are getting ready for the Jeux de la CJSOI will play against opponents from Mauritius in July or August. In fact, players on the teams have been playing together since last year and we will use the friendly matches to get them in full gear for the Games in Djibouti.

“As for the IOCC, the tentative dates are November 9-11, but a final decision will be taken during a meeting with all federation chairpersons of the region in August,” said Mr Dogley.

The SHF has organised the IOCC once in 2009 and matches were played at the Palais des Sports.
Locally, there will be the Mohan Shopping Centre-sponsored league championship, SHF Cup, Challenge Cup, Curtain-raiser tournament and at least two beach handball tournaments.

Coached by Danny ‘Mathias’ Philoé, Mont Fleuri Storm and Super 8 are the women’s and men’s defending league champions.

Formerly known as Rybar, Mont Fleuri Storm won a sixth consecutive league title in 2012 after finishing the three-round championship unbeaten – nine wins in as many matches for a maximum 27 points.

Super 8 amassed 33 points in the two-round men’s league after 10 wins, a draw and a loss for their third league title win in a row.

Mont Fleuri Storm and Super 8 are also the reigning Curtain-raiser winners.
Spearheaded by Claire Marguerite, Mont Fleuri Storm beat main rivals Royale Queens by a 10-goal margin – 28-18 – to win the curtain-raiser title.

In the men’s match, Super 8 distanced themselves from PLS Hurricanes in the second period to earn a 45-34 victory in what looked likely to be a tight game.

The season-opening Challenge Cup tournament titles are also Mont Fleuri Storm’s and Super 8’s possession.

In the finals, Mont Fleuri Storm defeated Teens 36-20 and Super 8 were victorious on a 41-34 score against Durantha Brothers.
In December last year, Royal Queens (women) and Young Eagles (men) won the season-ending SHF Cup after defeating Teenz and Durantha Brothers in the finals at the Palais des Sports.

If the young and inexperienced Teenz team were no match for Royal Queens in a 12-51 loss, the country’s men’s under-21 side Young Eagles overpowered Durantha Brothers 32-31 in a highly-contested and interesting encounter.

G. G.

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SCG officer to study at prestigious naval college in the United Kingdom

SCG officer to study at prestigious naval college in the United Kingdom - 11.02.2013 

Officer Cadet (OCdt) Connie Anthony from the Seychelles Coastguard (SCG) has been awarded an eight-month scholarship at the world famous Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC) based in Dartmouth, United Kingdom.

The first Seychellois woman to be admitted to this college following a tough selection process, OCdt Anthony will join other international students and train alongside young officers from the UK.

During the training she will be exposed to both academic and practical elements which will test and develop all facets of her abilities.

The young cadet will get the opportunity to study different modules, ranging from meteorological awareness, leadership and management to international relations and political understanding, and receive academic lectures on military events both past and present.

Anthony will also be expected to undertake practical leadership tasks.
The scholarship for the international officer’s course was given to Seychelles as part of UK’s support for enhancing the country’s military capability.

Currently an operator with the SCG, Anthony will become more aware of the decision-making processes when it comes to military capabilities, maritime awareness and also gain knowledge on how the international community works together.
Anthony will be expected to build on this course upon her return and pass on the knowledge she has acquired.

The scholarship was made possible thanks to the UK government funds.
Following the announcement, OCdt Anthony met British high commissioner (BHC) Lindsay Skoll. Also in attendance were the selection board consisting of Lieutenant Commander John Simpson of the Royal Navy, Flight Sergeant Simon Marshall of the Royal Air Force and Lieutenant Colonel George Adeline, commanding officer of the SCG.

During the meeting, Lieutenant Commander Simpson said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for a young person in the embryonic stage of her career -- to attending such a world renowned naval college, following in the footsteps of some of the great naval officers of the past and present, and of course members of the current royal family.”
OCdt Anthony left Seychelles at the weekend.

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Riot of colour as carnival frenzy rocks Victoria

Riot of colour as carnival frenzy rocks Victoria - 11.02.2013 

Carnival fever was running high on Saturday afternoon as thousands of people descended upon the town of Victoria to watch over 40 floats parade through the streets amid a blaze of colour.

It was indeed the ‘carnival of carnivals’, as Seychelles hosted yet another successful Carnaval International de Victoria – now in its third year.

Starting shortly after 3pm on the Bois de Rose avenue, the floats moved along Francis Rachel street, Albert street before turning right onto Palm Street, and finally down 5th June Avenue.

President James Michel was among guests present for the occasion, as well as the President of the Regional Council of Reunion Didier Robert.

Also there were various high-ranking government officials, and many foreign dignitaries, as well as the largest-ever group of media teams to come to Seychelles on assignment.

Members of the public cheered non-stop as the brightly-decorated floats -- from both local and international companies and organisations -- paraded in front of them. Local floats included Mason’s Travel, Seychelles Police, University of Seychelles, Jj Spirit Foundation, Indian Ocean Tuna Commission, Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority, and many more, while international floats represented countries like Brazil, Belgium, Italy, China, United Kingdom, Mauritius, Reunion, among others.

Most of the floats had their own music system to serenade the dancers as they performed for the crowd, and judges took notes as the procession passed in front of the clock tower to award the best floats in each category.

There were stopping points for the floats to showcase their skills and talents in the parade, such as the VIP area in front of the National Cultural Centre building, the judges’ box in front of the Supreme Court building opposite the clock tower, and at the Orion Mall building on Palm Street. Each float was given two minutes at each stopping point to showcase their performances, where dazzling displays of acrobatics, dances, songs and more enthralled the onlookers.

As the procession completed their route around town shortly after 6pm, all proceeded to Freedom Square, where a DJ Fiesta had been organised. There was also other entertainment in other places in town, such as at Stad Popiler, where live bands blasted away until late into the night.

Our accompanying photos, taken by photographers Patrick Joubert and Louis Toussaint, show some highlights of the float parade on Saturday.

 

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La Gogue dam fills up after a long time

La Gogue dam fills up after a long time - 06.02.2013 La Gogue dam is today expected to be full for the first time since January 5, 2012, Public Utilities Corporation’s managing director for water and sewerage Steve Mussard told Nation yesterday. La Gogue was expected to continue getting water from Rochon last night “and if it rains in the bigger dam’s catchment area it will fill up even sooner,” he said. Last year saw one of the most severe droughts ever in Seychelles forcing the government to install emergency desalination plants which helped stabilise supply. The depletion was blamed on climate change which in reverse action last week saw the country get flash floods which consumers hoped would amid all the damage they caused, at least fill up the dam. The dam was 99% full on Monday but the level had dropped to 98% yesterday morning as demand stepped up treatment volume. La Gogue and Hermitage treatment plants are normally simultaneously supplied by the same pipe from Rochon, which feeds the reservoir and the plant when there is enough water. Efforts to raise the volume of La Gogue dam are ongoing and a feasibility study funded by the government and the African Development Bank is under way. The actual work to raise the dam will start later this year and be completed in 2017 if the studies show the project to be worthwhile. One of the issues the study will look at is the level of seepage from the dam which is expected to increase when higher water levels raise pressure and the amount of water going into the ground. Also in progress is work to raise the volume of water getting into the dam through a pipe coming from the Mount Simpson area which is expected to deliver 2,500 tonnes of water daily by July.

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Central Bank assists those affected by extreme weather - 06.02.2013

Central Bank assists those affected by extreme weather - 06.02.2013 

In light of the recent extreme weather conditions and the damage caused as a result, the Central Bank of Seychelles (CBS) has made donations to the worst affected schools. 

Furthermore, a household items and clothing donations drive was conducted within the CBS in order to assist the Red Cross in helping families affected by the heavy rains and flooding. 

The donations to the schools include books for the Au Cap library which was badly affected, tiles for the health centre at Pointe Larue secondary school following extensive damage and school packs for the children of Anse Aux Pins whose homes were so badly damaged that their possessions were lost. 

A donation of educational toys was also made to the Pointe Larue crèche. 

CBS discussed the needs of each school with their respective management to ensure that the donations could be school-specific. 

The household and clothing donations drive was a success with a large amount handed over to the Red Cross to assist the organisation in its efforts. 

While some CBS staff were also personally affected by the adverse weather conditions, both the clothes and book drives were successful.

Donations were presented to the Au Cap primary school, Anse Aux Pins and Pointe Larue secondary schools and the Pointe Larue crèche yesterday by CBS Governor Caroline Abel, accompanied by representatives of the CBS’ social committee.

Governor Abel said the bank was pleased to have been able to assist the schools and students, and thanked the CBS staff for their contributions. 

Furthermore, Governor Abel discussed how important education of the Seychellois people is to the CBS and thus explained why the CBS was making donations to the four schools.

The students of Au Cap primary and those of Pointe Larue crèche thanked the Governor and CBS staff present with special songs. 

All four schools were grateful for the donations and thanked the CBS for the support.

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National Disaster Relief Fund

National Disaster Relief Fund - 06.02.2013 
Nouvobanq donates R1m

Nouvobanq has donated a sum of R1 million to the National Disaster Relief Fund.
The bank’s managing director Ahmad Saeed presented a cheque for that amount to the chairman of the Fund, Lekha Nair.

Mr Saeed said that the bank supports the disaster relief activities of the Fund and realises the importance of repairing the damage caused during the flooding disaster as well as providing financial assistance to the people who lost their belongings.
Mrs Nair thanked Nouvobanq for the generous gesture.

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