Observer – Page 687 – Windhoek Observer

14 May

Qatar backed fund buys Safari Hotels

ObserverObserver MoneyKasada Capital Management, Namibian Competition Commission, Qatar Investment Authority

Staff Writer Kasada Capital Management, a fund backed by the Qatar Investment Authority, the sovereign wealth fund of the State of Qatar, and French hospitality group, Accor, has announced its acquisition of the Safari Hotels and Conference Centre in Windhoek for an undisclosed amount. The transaction, which is still subject to approval by the Namibian Competition Commission, will be made through Kasada Hospitality Fund LP. The acquisition comes as the 55-year-old, 414 room hotel and conference venue, has been on the market after a failed 2018 bid by United Africa Group to acquire JH Hamman Beherende Beleggings, the holding company…

14 May

ReconAfrica illegally drilling

ObserverObserver MoneyKavango East, Kawe village, ReconAfrica

Andrew Kathindi It has emerged that ReconAfrica, a Canadian company that has been undertaking controversial oil drilling at Kawe village, in the Kavango East,has been operating without water permits. This was confirmed to Windhoek Observer by Minister of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, Calle Schlettwein. According to Maggy Shino, the Petroleum Commissioner at the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the company needs a water permit before commencing with its business, even if an oil and gas exploration licence is granted. ReconAfrica announced on January 11 that it had commenced drilling operations on the first well (6-2), and recently mobilised its…

12 May

Matching your insurance to a tight budget

ObserverUncategorisedFinance minister, Namibia

Staff Writer In tough times the temptation to cut spending, especially on insurance costs, can become overwhelming. As the budget squeezes, insurance is usually the first casualty. Maintaining essential cover in tough times, however, can save money and avoid unforeseen losses, especially when there is simply no more cash in the kitty. We live in a time of plummeting national income, increased administration costs, and every likelihood of an increased individual tax burden. In these tough times, just as the Finance Minister is taking a good, hard look at Namibia’s spending priorities, individual policyholders are encouraged to do the same…

12 May

Namibia secures N$1.8 billion German loans

ObserverObserver MoneyGerman Ambassador, Germany, Herbert Beck, Iipumbu Shiimi, Minister of Finance, Namibia

Kandjemuni Kamuiiri Namibia and Germany on Tuesday signed a N$ 1.8 billion loan agreement, which will fund three programmes in the areas of water, infrastructure and food production. Minister of Finance, Iipumbu Shiimi, and German Ambassador, Herbert Beck, signed the agreements on behalf of their respective countries. According to Shiimi, financing will be provided by interest-reduced loans in local currency, thereby securing favourable credit conditions for the Government of Namibia. “These projects will support the development of important water and other climate related infrastructure projects in Namibia, and the promotion of agricultural households and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises through…

12 May

Billionaire denied bail

ObserverObserver MoneyHarvey Boulter

Rose-Mary Haufiku Murder accused British billionaire, Harvey Boulter (51), has failed in his bail attempt on Tuesday at the Outjo Magistrates’ Court. Despite a spirited attempt, which also included supporting testimony from a Clinical psychologist, and from the family members of the deceased, Boulter was denied bail and remanded in custody at the Kamanjab Police cells. Boulter stands accused of allegedly shooting his employee (a manager at his farm) Gerhard van Wyk (54) in February after he attempted to seek sexual favours from van Wyk’s daughter in law. He is also facing additional charges of defeating/obstructing the course of justice,…

12 May

Jooste to defy Cabinet directive

ObserverObserver MoneyLeon Jooste, Namibia Industrial Development Agency (NIDA), Social Security Commission, State-Qwned Enterprises

Andrew Kathindi Public Enterprises (Pes) Minister, Leon Jooste, could defy a Cabinet directive less than a month after it came into force if he moves ahead to extend the current Fishcor temporary board’s term without any changes to its composition. The Cabinet directive states that Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of State-Qwned Enterprises (SOEs) may not serve on the boards of other SOEs. This comes as Jooste confirmed to Windhoek Observer that he plans to extend the terms of the current Fishcor temporary board made up of two heads of SOEs, Heinrich Mihe Gaomab II, who was on 1 May appointed…

11 May

Namibia spends over N$1 billion on Covid-19

ObserverObserver MoneyBen Nangombe, Covid-19, Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS)

Kandjemuni Kamuiiri Namibia has officially spent over N$1 billion up to date in its fight against Covid-19, Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) Executive Director, Ben Nangombe, revealed. According to information from MoHSS, N$747 million was spent last year on Covid-19, with N$458 million so far spent this year on vaccines. “We had a budget of N$747 million, that budget was executed for 2020. For now we have the resources provided in the budget of the Ministry of Health and Social Services but it’s not for Covid-19 in specific. It is for the response generally to health care. That…

11 May

Favouritism allegations rock NIDA CEO appointment

ObserverObserver MoneyChief Executive Officer (CEO), Heinrich Mihe Goamab ll, Michael Humavindu, Namibia Industrial Development Agency (NIDA)

Staff Writer It has emerged that Cabinet ignored recommendations from the Namibia Industrial Development Agency (NIDA) board in the appointment of the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). According to insiders, the NIDA board, chaired by former Nedbank Managing Director, Lionel Mathews, had recommended Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade (MIT) Deputy Executive Director, Michael Humavindu, for the top job. The board’s decision is alleged to have been ignored by Public Enterprises Minister Leon Jooste, who is said, with the support of Cabinet to have pushed through for the appointment of former African Development Bank (AfDB) Executive Director, Heinrich Mihe Goamab ll,…

08 May

Lack of class consciousness legacy of opportunism during liberation struggle

ObserverUncategorisedDr Kwame Nkrumah, Lack of class consciousness legacy of opportunism during liberation struggle, Matjituavi Kavetu

Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro One cannot agree less or more with the recent article in The Namibian by the Legal Head of the Affirmative Repositioning, Matjituavi Kavetu, headlined “Workers Lose when Unionists Dine with Capitalists.” Because he touches on what is supposed to be a fundamental issue regarding socio-economic radical transformation in Namibia, which cannot take place without the requisite class consciousness. First and foremost among workers. More pertinently among the unions and/or trade unionists. But class consciousness cannot be for its own sake. This is only if we as Namibians perceive of a Second Phase of the Revolution. Meaning what Namibia…

08 May

CABO DELGADO: A Lesson for Kavango East

ObserverUncategorisedAnsar Al Sunna, CABO DELGADO: A Lesson for Kavango East, Kavango East, Rutendo Bereza Matinyarare

We spent most of our Sunday debating with people who were happy that Cabo Delgado is in turmoil because they thought they had caught us in a lie. The same happened to the situation were *Recon-Africa* is drilling oil in the Kavango basin, many Namibians are happy about this fortunate development but forgetting the unfortunate situation that may turn against the very citizens themselves. This is after Mr Rutendo Bereza Matinyarare wrote an article on the 8th of March 2020, bragging about how the Zimbabwean and Mozambican allied expeditionary force, had wiped out the *Ansar Al Sunna Islamic Militants* in…