Observer – Page 837 – Windhoek Observer

06 Apr

Business welcomes govt bailout

ObserverObserver MoneyCharity Mwiya, Covid-19, Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI)

Staff Writer The Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) says government’s N$8.1 billion stimulus package will provide vital support to keep businesses afloat in the wake of the damaging effects of the coronavirus pandemic, which follows four consecutive years of an economic slowdown. The package according to NCCI Chief Executive Officer, Charity Mwiya, will help ease the cashflow hardships many businesses are experiencing in order to pay bills and to pay staff. “As the minister of finance Ipumbu Shiimi recognised in his announcement yesterday, businesses keep people in jobs and during these tough times it is vital that businesses…

06 Apr

Couch Kitten: Maybe locking down isn’t so bad

ObserverUncategorisedlockdown, school

Thandizo Kawerama Life as we know it has changed completely. Things that were once normal and part of our everyday routines have been taken away from us. Going to school, commuting to work and grocery shopping amongst other things have suddenly become activities you need to think twice about. The lockdown has changed everyone’s routine and has forced us all to slow down. This means our priorities have changed and things that were once at the top of the list have suddenly shifted or disappeared. Though it might be unfamiliar and even a bit scary, I don’t necessarily think that…

06 Apr

Old Mutual Namibia commits N$5 million to fight COVID-19

ObserverUncategorisedCovid-19, Kosmas Egumbo, Namibia, Old Mutual Namibia

Staff Writer Old Mutual Namibia has pledged to donate N$5 million towards the nation-wide efforts to help address some of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. “As a caring and responsible business and pursuant to an appeal to the private sector by the President of the Republic of Namibia, H.E. Dr. Hage G. Geingob, Old Mutual Namibia recognises that the COVID-19 pandemic requires a concerted and committed response by all stakeholders, including the private sector,” Old Mutual Group CEO, Kosmas Egumbo said this week. “There is no doubt that Namibia faces an uncertain future as the threat of COVID-19…

06 Apr

Observatory: Where’s the consistency?

ObserverUncategorisedCovid-19, Namibia, Namibians

Thandizo Kawerama When the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Namibia was announced, the government did an amazing job implementing measures to protect the health of Namibians. Social distancing quickly became a recurring theme, and many Namibians started to take preventative measures in case of a full blown outbreak. This was evident by the empty shelves in pharmacies and grocery stores all over the country. In the midst of the growing public concern over COVID-19, President Geingob’s inauguration ceremony last month hosted over 400 guests at the State House, breaking the ‘no more than 50 people in a gathering’ rule…

06 Apr

SHOUT OUT: Eatin’ good in the ‘hood

ObserverUncategorisedCovid-19

Jackie Wilson Asheeke OK…it's a lockdown and we cannot go out. It is time to go ‘ghetto’ with the food stuff in your pantry, cupboards, freezer and fridge. By that, I mean: make a meal with what is there. Times are gettin’ real… We have already been on recession rations for three years. But, with COVID we have to cut down even further. Waste not, want not. I boiled some colorful pasta I had in a kitchen jar as a cute decoration. I added some frozen broccoli, a beef magi cube, and about four tablespoons of ground meat, sautéed with…

06 Apr

The Time Traveler: Cabin Fever

ObserverUncategorisedAmericans, Chinese, Italians, Namibians, South Africans

Hugh Ellis It’s not easy being at home almost all day. Of course, I’m extremely privileged to have a fairly spacious home and a small garden to isolate myself in during the Coronavirus outbreak. I have access to the Internet on a variety of devices and a whole shelf-full of books. Many Namibians - and South Africans and Americans and Chinese and Italians - are not so lucky. But still, the anxiety of not moving outside an urban plot, not having access to the psychological security of a workplace, fighting an invisible enemy, maintaining contact with extended family in multiple…

06 Apr

How much restriction is too much?

ObserverUncategorisedCovid-19

During the first week of the lockdown, people are already grousing about the inconveniences caused. They are complaining that government is ‘going overboard’ or ‘being excessive’. They are whining about the COVID-19 after-effects on the already depressed economy. These are the same voices who, a few of weeks ago, blasted the government for not moving fast enough and ‘allowing’ those first Romanian tourists who carried the disease into the country. In the middle of a global pandemic, people are crying about their individual needs as if they are the only people that matter. “I think things are too difficult for…

06 Apr

Required leadership style in turbulent and uncertain times

ObserverNational NewsCovid-19, leadership

Julia Muetudhana 1. Organisational structures On 17 March 2020, H.E. Dr. Geingob declared a state of emergency followed by a lock down that officially started on 28 March at 14:00 and ends on 17 April 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic has infiltrated all spheres of our society and work life. It can therefore reasonably be concluded that Globally and for Namibia it has been business unusual especially for many Governments and Private companies. This article is inspired by one of John Maxwell’s quotes: “Everything rises and falls on leadership”. During these turbulent times citizens and employees are looking for leadership to…

31 Mar

Tourism is too big to fail . . . banks must step up in this time of crisis

ObserverNational NewsBanks, Covid-19, Namibia, tourism

The financial crisis that the country has experienced over the last three years is heightened for the tourism sector due to COVID-19. The sector is drowning right now with a lockdown and closed borders. There will be major business contractions in 2020; this is unavoidable. But, some industries are “too big to fail”. Tourism (including restaurants/cafes, professional hunting and communal conservancies) is one of them. The banks must take the lead, along with government and the private sector, to make tangible, well-considered bailout plans to save the stronger parts of the industry before it is too late. We note that…

30 Mar

Cancelled Events

ObserverUncategorised30th Independence concert, Events, Kasi Vibe Namibia

In light of the infectious coronavirus outbreak that has spread across the globe with no expectation of Namibia, the following events have been cancelled. 30th Independence concert The Independence concert that was scheduled to happen on Saturday, 21 March 2020 at the Hage Geingob stadium has been postponed until further notice. MTC, Tafel Lager, NASRIA, Profile Investments and Huawei who are the organizers of the event assured the public that already bought tickets can either ask for a refund or wait until the new concert date has been announced. Contact 0818882000 for more information. Kasi Vibe Namibia Kasi Vibe Namibia…