Observer – Page 817 – Windhoek Observer

04 Sep

Complaints fly between Hengari and the media

ObserverNational Newspresident Hage Geingob, Press Secretary Alfredo Hengari

This week, a consortium of Namibian journalists wrote an extensive letter of complaint addressed to President Hage Geingob. They are asking for sanctions against Press Secretary Alfredo Hengari. It seems that a breaking point has been reached by those who sent the letter. They feel that they can no longer tolerate Hengari’s perceived snubs, prevarications, oversights, and high-handedness. We look at this issue from another angle. We see the legitimate irritation of our media colleagues with the Press Secretary as a part of the usual tug-of-war between the media and the president’s media coordinator. We support the journalists’ right to…

04 Sep

Equity funding – a savior in uncertain times

ObserverUncategorised

Emmarentia Irion The Corona virus came and caused havoc around the world resulting in economies having to balance social and economic impact. Businesses have been forced to close, people have lost jobs, negatively impacting their livelihoods and economic activity around the world suffered a major downturn. The effects of the pandemic are expected to continue for the near future. Many businesses that are still managing to keep their doors open are finding it challenging to manage business liquidity such as operational expenses and working capital because of the pandemic, with limited options for financial relief. Private equity offers a solution…

04 Sep

Old Mutual launches new customised insurance proposition

ObserverUncategorisedKosmas Egumbo, Old Mutual

Staff Writer Old Mutual Namibia has launched a new personal cover solution, which allows each customer to build their cover to suit their lifestyle and their budget. The development of the product according to insurance giant had been brought about by the need to provide targeted solutions where the needs, aspirations and behavior of customers take centre stage. Kosmas Egumbo, Group CEO at Old Mutual, who spoke on the launch of Old Mutual’s new proposition, which offers a range of personal and business cover solutions in respect of Life cover, disability, funeral , will also be complimented by the launch…

04 Sep

NBC chief has contract renewed

ObserverObserver Money

Staff Writer The recently appointed Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) board has opted to renew the contract of current Director-General Stanley Similo for another five years. The reappointment is effective 1 October 2020. "We are looking forward to a continued fruitful and productive working relationship as we endeavor to usher the national broadcaster into a technology savvy company which broadcasts with its stated mission of educating, informing and entertaining the Namibian nation," Chairperson Lazarus Jacobs said. Similo’s appointment comes as the national broadcaster is faced with a cash squeeze, a development which saw it moving from being a 24 hour broadcaster…

04 Sep

Windhoek COVID cases surpass Walvis Bay

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, Walvis Bay, Windhoek

Andrew Kathindi Windhoek has officially overtaken Walvis Bay to become the local authority with the numerically highest confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country. This comes as Health Minister, Kalumbi Shangula on Thursday 3 September, announced 238 new cases, of which 145 are from Windhoek. “Today, a total number of 1,630 results were received from the laboratories. Of these, 238 samples tested positive for COVID-19. One hundred and twenty-six (126) are males and hundred and twelve (112) are females. The youngest is two months old and the oldest is sixty-five years old,” said Shangula. As of Wednesday 2 September, Windhoek…

04 Sep

Education, NANTU in compromise deal …as private schools stick to initial dates

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, Khomas, Ministry of Education, Namibia National Teachers Union (NANTU)

Andrew Kathindi In last ditch effort to avoid a stalemate, the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture and Namibia National Teachers Union (NANTU) have struck a compromised deal. The final agreement between the Ministry and Union contains terms they previously found undesirable. Education minister Anna Nghipondoka, following negotiations over two days between her office, the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) and NANTU, announced that grades 7-9 will return to school in all regions on the 7th of September. The Khomas region is not included in this opening date. Grades 4-6 will reopen…

03 Sep

Oarsmen fight while the ship sinks

ObserverNational NewsMinister of Defence Peter Hafeni Vilho, Namibia

In case anyone is mistaken, Namibia is in serious trouble right now. The ship’s engines are dead and we are taking on water fast. All the oarsmen in the boat must bail water and row to get us to the closest patch of dry land. Instead, the bickering has begun. Each side will be righteous in their points of view and all of us (including them) will drown. Minister of Defence Peter Hafeni Vilho has again placed himself in the spotlight. Defence Ministers with the mandate to represent the elected government in administering and guiding the military should be less…

03 Sep

StartUp Namibia launches round 2 funding

ObserverUncategorisedCovid-19, German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development, Startup Grant, StartUp Namibia

Staff Writer StartUp Namibia and its partners have announced Round 2 of the COVID-19 Startup Grant, where grants of N$15,000 each will be provided on a competitive basis to 500 start-ups. The COVID-19 Startup Survival Grant is aimed at helping start-ups and small businesses to supplement wages, fixed costs, and offset declining revenue. “Looking on the massive impact of COVID-19 on the private sector, we are very happy to extend the targeted support for start-ups and young SMEs during this challenging time. Additional funding for this project is provided by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development. We…

03 Sep

Hosea Kutako prepared for tourist arrivals

ObserverUncategorisedHosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA), Namibia Airports Company

Staff Writer The Namibia Airports Company says its prepared to start receiving international travellers at Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA) as part of the country’s Target International Tourism Revival Initiative. “NAC has set in motion, its restart plan under the heading “Resumption of Activities” to ensure the airport readiness 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.The NAC has not received any airlines scheduled ahead of the reopening, but they have expressed their willingness to resume flights and we are anticipating mid-September 2020. Alternatively,…

03 Sep

Healthcare workers with COVID-19 on the rise

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19

Staff Writer The Ministry of Health has raised concern over increasing cases of healthcare workers contracting COVID-19. According to Ministry of Health data, 333 health care workers are currently infected with COVID-19. This comes as a healthcare worker from Swakopmund succumbed to the virus on Monday. Health minister, Kalumbi Shangula revealed Wednesday that healthcare workers now constitute 4.2 percent of the total COVID-19 confirmed cases recorded in the country since the outbreak. “Since the outbreak of COVID-19, we have recorded a total number of 333 health workers infected with COVID-19, which represents 4.2 percent of the total confirmed cases recorded…