Observer – Page 769 – Windhoek Observer

28 May

Beer, wine drinkers to pay more

ObserverObserver MoneyBeer, Iipumbu Shiimi, Minister of Finance

Staff writer Wine and beer lovers who have been unable to purchase or consume their alcoholic beverages of choice as a result of state of emergency regulations will face higher prices for their drinks of choice on June 3rd when stage three of the post-pandemic re-opening of Namibia begins. This comes after Minister of Finance, Iipumbu Shiimi, on Wednesday announced the 2020/2021 budget containing additional ‘sin taxes’ on alcohol and tobacco to raise money for depleted state coffers. This will be of interest to those that have been unable to purchase alcohol since the nation went into the state of…

28 May

Nam students unpaid in Cuba amidst pandemic

ObserverObserver MoneyMinistry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS), Namibian medical students, University of Havana (Universidad de Sciencias Médicas)

Andrew Kathindi Namibian medical students at the University of Havana (Universidad de Sciencias Médicas) have lamented the non-payment of their monthly allowances by the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS) amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic. There are 238 students involved in this situation. According to several students at the University who choose to speak out anonymously, they last received a stipend late in March, which was supposed to cover only February and March. The students are supposed to receive a monthly stipend of US$350 paid quarterly. “They paid for two months only at the rate of US$1=N$14.7 (February’s rate).…

28 May

Shiimi announces N$64.3 billion budget

ObserverObserver Moneybudget, Covid-19, Finance minister Iipumbi Shiimi

Staff Writer Finance minister Iipumbi Shiimi on Wednesday announced a N$64.3 billion budget, where he projected the domestic economy to contract by 6.6 percent in real terms this year. “The 2020/21 Appropriation Bill amounts to N$64.3 billion. A total of N$8.4 billion, or 16.4 percent of revenue, is earmarked for the payment of interest payable on moneys borrowed. This amount is deemed to have been appropriated. Therefore, the total expenditure, including interest payments, for the 2020/21 financial year, amounts to N$72.8 billion,” he said. “The contraction may as well linger on in 2021 at a moderate rate of 1.1 percent,…

27 May

A voice against re-opening schools

ObserverUncategorisedchildren, Namibians, schools, Teachers

Yes, we find ourselves between a rock and a hard place with regard to the school re-opening conundrum. I think restarting schools will prove to be more dangerous than keeping them closed for this academic year. As many have correctly pointed out, if anything went wrong, children can be super-spreaders of the pandemic as many (particularly the younger ones) may not have the self-conscious capacity to police themselves [utilize the mandatory methods to slow pandemic spread like self-spacing, washing hands with soap for 20 seconds and other actions], unlike adults who do not police themselves by choice. Besides, order and…

27 May

It is not your N$750

ObserverNational NewsEmergency Income Grant (EIG), Eurobond

When the emergency income grant (EIG) of N$750 was announced, we applauded the idea. At the same time, we raised concerns about how the program would be packaged and rolled-out to the public. The current wave of public gripes about the grant seems to reflect that indeed, there is major misunderstanding about what the EIG was meant to be. Expectations were raised that cannot be met. Promises of ‘free money for all’ to momentarily deflate rising fear and anger amongst low-income citizens, could backfire. When loftily-announced pledges (like fishing jobs for all who were retrenched due to Fishrot) fall flat,…

27 May

Mushokobanji shares his 100 days in office

ObserverUncategorisedMeatco, Mwilima Mushokobanji

Staff Writer Having now served his 100 days in office since his appointment on the 1st of February 2020, the Windhoek Observer (WO) caught up with youthfull Meatco Chief Executive Officer, Mwilima Mushokobanji (MM) to share his experiences and plans for the meat processor and below is an extract of the interview: WO) It's been more than 100 days since your appointment, kindly share with us what you had set-out to do and if you achieved it? MM) It’s been busy, I have been doing familiarization tours around the various departments, realigned EXCO for better efficiency and some business units…

27 May

COVID-19 effects bleed businesses – survey

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA)

Staff Writer A Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) survey has found that 96.5 percent of businesses have been adversely affected by the coronavirus and will continue to be affected in the coming months. “The majority of operating businesses have indicated reduction in local customer demand as the most common current and future effect experienced by 68.8 percent and 65.1 percent of the businesses, respectively. Furthermore, 63.7 percent of businesses reported revenue loss of over 50 percent with the Manufacturing sector (20.1 percent), Hotels and Restaurants (15.2 percent) and Construction sector (11.3 percent) bearing most of the blunt.” The survey found that…

27 May

Meatco eyes NCA meat exports

ObserverObserver MoneyMeatco, Northern Communal Areas (NCA)

Staff Writer Meatco says it plans to export meat produced from its Northern Communal Areas (NCA) abattoirs to countries in SADC. Meatco Chief Executive Officer, Mwilima Mushokobanji speaking after 100 days in office said the company had already started the process of ensuring that farmers in the NCA who have herds of over 1.1 million, also have access to the export markets. “Recently, Cabinet directed Meatco to go back in the NCA to operate the Rundu Abattoir and also to assist the operators of Katima Mulilo and Oshakati abattoirs in order to provide a market for the farmers. The NCA…

27 May

Govt probes Agribusdev

ObserverObserver MoneyAgribusdev, Ministry of Public Enterprise

Andrew Kathindi Government through the Ministry of Public Enterprise (MPE) has instituted a probe into the operations of Agricultural Business Development Agency (Agribusdev) the Windhoek Observer can reveal. The investigation comes amid increased concern over allegations of mismanagement and dubious tender awards at the government entity tasked improving the country’s food security. Public enterprise minister, Leon Jooste whose remit the Agribusdev now falls under, confirmed that an investigation had been commissioned to understand the core reasons behind government agency’s historic problems. The findings will guide the Ministry’s proposed interventions. “From Government’s side I can assure you that we are not…

26 May

Couch Cat: Power is too expensive, embrace the dark!

ObserverUncategorisedCouch Cat

Jackie Wilson Asheeke My electricity bill has long been climbing for unknown reasons and it is putting me into the poor house fast. In a few more months, we will be using candles for light at night, grilling our food and heating water outside on the braai. With earning prospects dimmed, looking hard at every expenditure is no longer an option. For years now, I have reduced power drains severely. There is no more swimming pool pump, no more dishwasher, the geyser is off during the day and most of the night, and no more dryer. And yet, my bill…