Observer – Page 836 – Windhoek Observer

22 Apr

Sanlam pledges N$3.5 million

ObserverUncategorisedCovid-19, Namibia, Sanlam Group, Sanlam Namibia, SMEs

. . . to support various initiatives to combat the spread and the impact of the COVID-19 virus in an effort to “flatten the curve” The Sanlam Group has thrown its weight behind the fight against the spread of the Coronavirus in Africa and other territories where it has a business presence outside of South Africa by donating R45 million (about USD2,3 million) to support various initiatives to fight the pandemic. In response to the spread of COVID-19 in our country, Sanlam Namibia and its subsidiaries Welwitschia Insurance Brokers and Sanlam Investments today pledges N$3.5 million to support various initiatives…

22 Apr

Cattle misfortune for Esau

ObserverObserver MoneyAgribank, Bernhardt Esau

Staff Writer Former Fisheries minister, Bernhardt Esau who is currently incarcerated over his involvement in the Fishrot scandal, has had 50 head of cattle which were being kept on his behalf at Farm Sorondo in the Omaheke region, stolen. According to sources, Esau entered into an agreement with former Agricultural Bank of Namibia (Agribank) Credit Manager, Masilo Hochobeb to keep 300 head of cattle at his farm. “I have not been at the farm in four weeks, I will have to check with the workers,” said Hochobeb when contacted for comment. When quizzed over the agreement he entered into with…

22 Apr

Gawaxab appointed BoN Governor

ObserverObserver MoneyBank of Namibia, Johannes Gawaxab, president Hage Geingob

Staff Writer President Hage Geingob on Tuesday appointed veteran financial guru, Johannes Gawaxab as the new Governor of the Bank of Namibia effective June 1, 2020. “I congratulate you Johannes Gawaxab on your appointment and appreciate your willingness to bring your talents and experience of the financial services sector towards our tireless effort in building a united inclusive and prosperous Namibian house,” the President said. The move by Geingob to appoint Gawaxab to the helm of the apex banks comes after the head of state side-stepped long serving Bank of Namibia Deputy Governor, Ebson Uanguta who has been in his…

22 Apr

Govt ponders Air Namibia, NWR, NAC bailout

ObserverObserver MoneyAir Namibia, Covid-19, Government, Namibia Airports Company, Namibia Wildlife Resorts

Staff Writer Government, through the Ministry of Finance is considering a proposal from the Ministry of Public Enterprises to come to the aid of three parastatals which have had their operations severely affected by the global coronavirus outbreak. The three, Air Namibia, Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) and Namibia Airports Company (NAC), are said to be in need of funding to meet their monthly wage bills, amounts expected to run into millions. This comes as Air Namibia is currently not generating any income after grounding its fleet, while NAC which generates revenues by managing the country’s airports has been forced to…

22 Apr

Police to investigate Swapo over party

ObserverObserver MoneyPolice, Swapo Party

Staff Writer Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) on Monday laid charges against the ruling Swapo Party for violating national lockdown regulations when it hosted a party to mark its 60th anniversary. The birthday party which was attended by current President Hage Geingob, Founding President Sam Nujoma and Former President Hifikepunye Pohamba among others has been condemned by the opposition party amid concern the action of the ruling party violated set down lock down regulations against gatherings. “How do you go against your own regulations as a party and government, and expect the citizens to adhere to the regulations. They contravened the…

22 Apr

578,863 apply for N$750 grant

ObserverObserver MoneyEmergency Income Grant (EIG), grant

Staff Writer The Ministry of Finance says as of Monday it had received a total of 578,863 applications for the Emergency Income Grant. According to the ministry 234,345 of the applications have been approved, translating to total payments of N$176.76 million. The Emergency Income Grant (EIG) is a once-off payment of N$750 in cash per qualifying person introduced by government through the Ministry of Finance to assist individuals on the basis of having lost income or experienced difficult circumstances during the COVID-19 lockdown periods. The grant according to the Finance ministry seeks to provide interim relief for the most vulnerable…

21 Apr

Vivo Energy Namibia boosts COVID-19 Fight with fuel donation

ObserverUncategorisedCovid-19, Ministry of Health and Social Service, Vivo Energy Namibia

Vivo Energy Namibia, the distributor and marketer of Shell branded fuels and lubricants in Namibia, has contributed N$150,000 worth of fuel (about 13,200 litres) to support the mobility of the Ministry of Health and Social Service’s Emergency response teams countrywide in a bid to further mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic. The company has also pledged to use selected Shell retail sites around the country; to provide free softdrinks to members of emergency response services on duty during the extended lockdown period. This contribution is worth N$48,000, and brings the total donation to the Ministry of Health and…

20 Apr

The Time Traveler: Fake news!

ObserverUncategorisedChinese, Covid-19

Hugh Ellis In this Covid-19 crisis, it was only a matter of time before fake news would rear its ugly head. No, a brand-new vaccine is not on the market in France (at bare minimum, another 18 months of research to make sure it is safe and it works, lie ahead). That picture you may have seen, supposedly of French doctors and policemen celebrating the new vaccine, was actually taken in Spain some years ago. Bananas are a nutritious fruit, but there’s no proof that eating them dramatically reduces your risk of contracting Covid-19. There is no evidence Covid-19 was…

20 Apr

Observatory: Lockdown breeds hopelessness among northerners

ObserverUncategorisedCovid-19, Observatory

Clementine Tjameya Amidst the Covid-19 outbreak, families are forced to be together in their homesteads, with nothing to do but stare at each other and grow tired of each other’s company. It is tough. Parents in the north are complaining about what to do with bored, troublesome younger family members. Everything about social distancing goes against our nature as human beings. We are social beings. We need each other and the community at large in order to function well. Community co-dependency is not that noticeable in the cities because everyone is within their high wall fences and watching television or…

20 Apr

SHOUT OUT: Something to think about in lockdown

ObserverUncategorisedCovid-19

Jackie Wilson Asheeke Allow me to give you something positive to think about during the extended lockdown and COVID restrictions. We need to start calming ourselves down, accepting what has happened, following all rules assiduously, and begin preparing our bank accounts and hearts for the Post-COVID financial earthquake that is on the way. As I contemplate my own fears with my 82 year old, very fit and active mother in Delaware in the USA being cared for by my sister and her husband who are working from home these days, I will not let fear and panic take me for…