Observer – Page 828 – Windhoek Observer

05 Aug

Police brutality must be challenged

ObserverNational NewsGanja Users Association (GUN), Ganja Users Association (GUN) of Namibia, Namibia, Police

Recently, the Ganja Users Association (GUN) of Namibia made a statement urging that higher salaries be paid to the police. They did this in response to the shameless and consistent police brutality they claim that their members endure. After seeing various videos circulating on social media where Namibian police and army members are playing judge, jury and executioner as they brutalise unarmed people, we conclude that the problem is deeper than salary level. We support more competitive salaries and benefits packages for our security officials. Of course, in this pandemic time of near-catastrophic unfunded budget deficits, there is no money…

05 Aug

FNB donates Personal Protection Equipment

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, FirstRand HOPE Fund, FNB Namibia, Namibia, Personal Protection Equipment, PPE

Staff Writer FNB Namibia, through its FirstRand HOPE Fund, donated 2500 Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) kits, valued at N$810 000 to the Ministry of Health and Social Services. Erwin Tjipuka, CEO of FNB Namibia during the handover ceremony said that the banking Group was concerned about the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in Namibia and the negative impact the pandemic has on the Namibian economy and society at large. He expressed the hope that the donation of PPE kits would assist in the further prevention of the spread of Covid-19 while protecting frontline staff, while ultimately contributing towards…

05 Aug

‘Complicated’ COVID-19 guidelines boots recoveries

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, Ministry of Health and Social Services

Andrew Kathindi The recently introduced new de-isolation policy by the Ministry of Health and Social Services policy has boosted the country’s recovery figures, with a record 345 new COVID-19 recoveries having been recorded in one day as announced on Wednesday. According to the new de-isolation guidelines, which are in line with international recommendations from World Health Organization (WHO) and Center for Disease Control (CDC), state once a patient has been infected with COVID-19 for ten days and their symptoms have resolved, there is no risk that the virus can still be spread to other people. As a result, people who…

05 Aug

Kahimise offered CENORED top job

ObserverObserver MoneyCentral Northern Electricity Distributor (CENORED), City of Windhoek, Robert Kahimise

Staff Writer City of Windhoek Chief Executive Offer, Robert Kahimise has been offered the Central Northern Electricity Distributor (CENORED) top job, a move which could find the municipality without a head if he takes up the offer. The development comes as Kahimise has had a turbulent time as CEO of the municipality, a position which could play a key part in his decision on whether to take up the CENORED offer. “I did receive an offer but I have not resigned,” he told the Windhoek Observer. When quizzed if he planned to take up the offer, Kahimise was tightlipped. “I…

04 Aug

Philip Chapman appointed new RMB CEO …as Selma Kapeng takes up Group Treasurer post

ObserverUncategorisedFirstRand Namibia, RMB Namibia

Staff Writer Philip Chapman has been appointed as the new CEO of RMB Namibia replacing Conrad Dempsey who was appointed FirstRand Namibia Group CEO Designate effective 1 July 2020 , takeover reigns from Sarel van Zyl who retires on 30 September 2020. Chapman as part of his appointment which is subject to regulatory approval , will also serve on the FirstRand Namibia Executive Committee. Chapman previously headed up RMB Corporate Credit in Namibia, and was also RMB Credit co-head regionally and most recently headed FNB Commercial and Business Banking. “With Phillip’s experience both in RMB and FNB Commercial we look…

04 Aug

MTN, The GridOnline sign deal

ObserverUncategorisedGridOnline, MTN Namibia, NamPower

Staff Writer MTN Namibia has signed its first commercial contract for bulk data transmission services, provided by The GridOnline, a NamPower owned company, a move expected to grow Namibia’s ICT sector. “This significant event demonstrates another example of corporates consolidating efforts to propel the national and Southern African ICT sector forward and stabilising the framework within which development can be streamlined. The availability of reliable and affordable telecommunications is seen by both organisations as a fundamental pillar for the growth of a multitude of sectors, including education, trade and industry, medical services, tourism and entertainment, engineering and manufacturing, infrastructure development…

04 Aug

Haufiku firing wastes scarce resources

ObserverNational NewsCovid-19, Walvis Bay

The firing of former health minister, Dr Bernard Haufiku from his post on the pandemic Task Team is a waste of limited resources. At a time when there are insufficient healthcare workers to assist where needed in Namibia, a top medical expert has been kicked to the curb. Was that the only option or just the easiest one? The final clash between the current minister of health Kalumbi Shangula and his predecessor was predictable. The strain between the two parties was evident from previous conflicting comments. Haufiku’s demonstrated method is to tackle issues straight on. He seems to speak his…

04 Aug

NAC in urgent runway fix for Eros

ObserverObserver MoneyNAC, Namibia Airports Company (NAC)

Staff Writer The Namibia Airports Company (NAC) is set to embark on urgent rehabilitation works for its ‘expired’ runway at Eros Airport, with the airstrip having exceeded its design life of 25 years. This comes as the airports operator has resorted to daily inspections of the runway which has now developed potholes and has become bumpy for aircraft when landing and taking off. Although the runway is still safe, the repairs are a part of safety measures. The project which is set to commence this month at a cost of N$25 million, when completed, will add an additional lifeline of…

04 Aug

Tourism sector initiative could risk lives

ObserverObserver MoneyNamibians, president Hage Geingob

Andrew Kathindi Thousands of workers in the tourism sector could be at risk of contracting COVID-19 as new measures announced by government to revive the sector do not require quarantine for incoming tourists. President Hage Geingob announced that the International Tourism revival initiative, which was initially supposed to kick off on 15 July but was delayed over disagreements on measures during the consultation process, has now been approved. According to new measures announced by the President which tourists will not be subjected to a mandatory quarantine, “They will however be required to remain at their first initial destination in the…

04 Aug

New party or same story

ObserverNational NewsIndependent Patriots for Change (IPC), Panduleni Itula

The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), helmed by former Independent Political candidate Panduleni Itula has been launched. The formulation of another anti-Swapo party can signal a mature change in the Namibian political scene. Or, it can be yet another party formed on the basis of what they are against, rather than what they are for. There is no doubt that Itula is a force to be reckoned with in Namibian politics, at least for now. Having a party to allow his constituency to have a base from which to grow is an important step. We note that the overwhelming majority…