Observer – Page 750 – Windhoek Observer

10 Jul

COVID-19 login registry App launched

ObserverUncategorisedCovid-19, gtCheckIn App

Staff Writer With the emergence of COVID-19, retail outlets and offices have been mandated to keep registers of visitors for tracing purposes should a positive case emerge. This has caused all entryways to have a book and pen for registration purposes. Lines are forming as people queue for entry as people sign-in. As a solution to solve the cumbersome process, Geratin Software Engineers (GSE) has come up with the gtCheckIn App. Below is an excerpt from an interview with the Windhoek Observer (WO). WO) Kindly introduce your company and the new Applications that you developed? GSE) Geratin Software Engineers is…

10 Jul

Namibia records first COVID-19 related fatality

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, Walvis Bay, Walvis Bay State Hospital

Staff Writer Namibia has recorded its first COVID-19 related death after a 45-year old male died on Wednesday the 8 July, three days after presenting himself at the Walvis Bay State Hospital. This comes as it emerged the deceased was only tested for the virus after he died. He had complained of dizziness, difficulty in breathing and a cough three days after he was previously seen at a health care facility. “On the 6th July 2020, the patient’s condition deteriorated. The patient complained of respiratory ailment. He showed signs of severe renal failure and sepsis. On the 8th July 2020…

10 Jul

Nothing wrong with Marine Act changes – Kawana

ObserverObserver MoneyAlbert Kawana, Fisheries Minister, Marine Act

Andrew Kathindi Fisheries minister, Albert Kawana maintains he still supports the actual amendments made to the country’s Marine Resources Act of 2000 that was perverted by those accused in the Fishrot scandal. He qualifies his support by saying the problem was that the controversial legal changes were eventually used for corrupt practices. This comes as Former Fisheries Minister, Bernard Esau in cahoots with former Justice minister Sackey Shanghala, quickly pushed to have the Marine Resources Act amended in 2015, giving Esau powers to allocate fishing quotas to Fishcor, which in turn ended up in the hands of Icelandic fishing company,…

10 Jul

Tourism vs potential health risk

ObserverNational Newshealth risk, State of Emergency, tourism

The state of emergency has ripped the rug from under the global tourism industry, including Namibia. The industry went toe-to-toe with Tyson Fury (the pandemic) and has been knocked out in the first minute of the first round. It might be a mistake for the beleaguered industry to push for tourist arrivals regardless of international mandates to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. The nation listened to the pleas from the hospitality, travel, and tourism sector. The nation empathizes with the industry's struggle to stay in business during this unprecedented health emergency. Recent reports about their position don’t sound good.…

10 Jul

NPTH appoints subsidiary boards

ObserverObserver MoneyMobile Telecommunications Ltd, MTC, Namibia Post Limited, NamPost, Telecom Namibia Limited (Telecom)

. . . as Festus Hangula is re-appointed at NamPost Staff Writer The Namibia Post & Telecom Holdings (NPTH) has appointed temporary subsidiary Boards for a period of three months, effective 08 July 2020 until 08 October 2020. NPTH is the 100 percent shareholder of Telecom Namibia Limited (Telecom), Namibia Post Limited (NamPost) and Mobile Telecommunications Ltd (MTC). “The temporary appointments were based on the required skills blend, individual qualifications, industry expertise and technical knowledge, which factors informed the composition of the said Boards. The skills and experience of these individuals complements the current Boards, which are set for companies…

10 Jul

Govt to find sources for sovereign wealth fund

ObserverObserver MoneyFinance minister, Iipumbu Shiimi, sovereign wealth fund

Andrew Kathindi The Finance ministry has indicated that it will soon begin the process of looking for sources of funding for the sovereign wealth fund proposed by Finance Minister, Iipumbu Shiimi. A sovereign wealth fund is a fund owned by the state tasked with managing a nation’s savings. It is typically composed of various investments. This comes as the Finance ministry submitted a proposal to cabinet for its establishment. This proposal was approved last month. Finance Ministry Spokesperson, Tonateni Shidhudhu, stated that the aim of the will be to strengthen the national responsiveness capacity to mitigate the negative impacts of…

10 Jul

Telecom’s millions still stuck in Angola

ObserverObserver MoneyAngola, Mundo Startel, Telecom Namibia

Andrew Kathindi More than 16 years on, Telecom Namibia is still to recoup its millions invested in the failed Mundo Startel deal. Telecom then led by Frans Ndoroma, announced in 2004 that it had acquired a 44 percent stake in Angola’s Mundo Startel worth US$14 million (N$91 million at the time), in a bid to break into the Angolan market. The investment was a failure and in 2011 the company announced it was exiting the market and putting its 44 percent stake in Mundo Startel up for sale. The remaining 56 percent of the Angolan telecommunication company were owned by…

09 Jul

MTC launches Knockout Project 2020

ObserverUncategorisedMTC, MTC Knockout Project

Staff Writer MTC has launched the 2nd edition of the MTC Knockout Project 2020, as part of efforts to address homelessness in the country. The MTC Knockout Project started last year as a social intervention program by MTC with the specific aim to address societal issues within our communities. Last year’s initiative was aimed towards creating awareness around Gender-Based Violence in society when celebrities slugged it out exhibition boxing style during their three rounds bout of a minute each. The 2020 edition according to the mobile company , will center on the issue of homelessness with the hope that the…

09 Jul

Team Namibia hits out at Govt plans

ObserverUncategorised

Staff Writer The government’s decision to repeal current manufacturing incentives, and the Economic Processing Zone’s (EPZ) will negatively impact on the country’s ability to attract foreign direct investment. “The recently gazetted Amendments of Income Tax Act, No. 7249, have repealed the current manufacturing incentives, and the Economic Processing Zone (EPZ) which will be phased out by 28 February 2021. Team Namibia is totally in support of the manufacturing sector. We need more local produce and manufactured products for our sustainable economic development and most importantly, job creation and the reduction of poverty,” Team Namibia Account Director, Bärbel Kirchner said. “The…

09 Jul

Hosea Kutako readies to restart operations

ObserverUncategorisedHosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA), Namibia Airports Company (NAC)

Staff Writer The Namibia Airports Company (NAC) has started preparing the Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA) to ensure that it is ready upon the resumption of international flights as borders are to gradually open under the provisions of the State of the Emergency Regulations on COVID-19. This comes as the airport will aid government’s Targeted International Tourism Revival Initiative, which is meant to come into effect on the 15 July to 15 August 2020. “We are working tirelessly with all stakeholders to ensure that our airport is ready as per the Stage 4 Regulations. We must play our part to…