Observer – Page 868 – Windhoek Observer

28 Apr

Maersk Sheerness docks at Walvis Bay

ObserverUncategorisedNamibian Ports Authority (Namport), Namport

The Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) on Friday received the largest vessel to ever dock in Namibian waters, the 335.41 meters long, 43.16 meters bean and a 7500 TEU capacity Maersk Sheerness. Namport’s Executive for Commercial Immanuel !Hanabeb said, “ the arrival of this vessel is of great significance, not only to the Ports Authority but to the entire country, as this is not only consistent with our values and drive to becoming Africa's Number 1 Port Authority but also places Namibia in a more competitive position as it now can accommodate bigger vessels.” He said the shipping industry has over…

28 Apr

Meatco donates corned beef

ObserverUncategorisedCovid-19, Meatco

Staff Writer Meatco has donated 25 000 tins of corned beef to be distributed amongst Namibians that have been hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Meatco CEO, Mushokabanji Mwilima the distribution of the corned beef will be left in the hands of the Regional Council who will oversee the distribution of the parcels to those who need them most. “Meatco will remain pragmatic during this time of need, I don’t want to go in too much detail for now. I just want to reiterate our willingness to assist however little; we are assisting our fellow Namibians/human beings with…

28 Apr

Namibia faces malnutrition headache

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, malnutrition, Nutrition and Food Security Alliance of Namibia (NAFSAN)

Andrew Kathindi Nutrition experts have warned that cases of malnutrition in the country could rise due to increased job losses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are food secure as a nation but household’s access to food is becoming a challenge as financial resources are not available due to the ongoing loss of income and employment,” said Senior UNAM Lecturer, Nutritionist and founding Nutrition and Food Security Alliance of Namibia (NAFSAN) Board Member, Charlotte Keyter. She said the ongoing retrenchment and loss of income for those in the informal sector because of the COVID19 pandemic was impacting on…

28 Apr

SSC rolls out salary protection scheme

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, National Employment and Salary Protection Scheme, Social Security Commission (SSC)

…recipients must agree to not retrench for three months Andrew Kathindi The Social Security Commission (SSC) has officially unveiled the National Employment and Salary Protection Scheme for COVID-19 to cater for nine hard-hit sectors, including domestic workers. This relief package which comes to the value of N$623 million is being delivered in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, which will provide N$400 million in cash from the taxpayer collections, with the balance coming from the SSC. SSC Executive officer Milka Mugunda said the sectors most hard hit by the pandemic will benefit, but the rollout will start with the tourism,…

28 Apr

Govt still to act on De Klerk extradition

ObserverObserver MoneyAnti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Marén de Klerk

Staff Writer Despite numerous announcements by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), the Windhoek Observer can reveal that no action has been taken with regards to extraditing accused Fishrot connected lawyer, Marén de Klerk from South Africa. De Klerk left the country in January after being questioned by the ACC and never returned. He is wanted by the authorities to answer questions about his alleged role in the Fishrot scandal. It is alleged De Klerk may have syphoned funds to the tune of N$50 million from the National Fishing Corporation of Namibia (Fishcor) through the trust account of his law firm, De…

28 Apr

The climate of inconsistency

ObserverUncategorisedCovid-19, Government

The state of emergency remains and the lockdown is not supposed to end until midnight May 4th. But, it is getting harder to tell that this is a time of world and national medical crisis from the increase in public movement on the streets. As usual in Namibia, the climate of inconsistency strikes again. With an infectious disease at stake, one wonders if people believe that stupidity is a contamination suit against germs. Everyone is passionate and burning with enthusiasm when programs begin, but as time passes, urgency is the first casualty. This is not only a Namibian 'thing'. It…

27 Apr

N$600m lost in the arts sector

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, National Arts Council of Namibia (NACN)

Andrew Kathindi The chairman of the National Arts Council of Namibia (NACN), Patrick Sam says around N$600 million in potential revenue has been lost in the Namibian arts and entertainment sector due to the COVID-19. He attributes this to a number of shows, events, arts sector based public gatherings that have been cancelled or postponed as well as advertising firms’ projects called off due to the lockdown. “We currently have 143 individual members and 22 organizations registered. There are no statistics available to gather the data of the wide-reaching impact of the pandemic because the sector has not been prioritized…

27 Apr

Lockdown hits construction sector

ObserverObserver MoneyConstruction Industries Federation

Staff Writer The Construction Industries Federation says its members want to start work immediately after the lockdown period has ended on 4 May 2020 or there will be mass retrenchments and company bankruptcies in the sector. “We appreciate the enormous effort taken to contain the spread of the virus and the support extended to individuals and businesses, where possible. Nonetheless, we are extremely worried that most of our businesses will not survive the lock-down period,” Bärbel Kirchner, CIF General Manager said. “We are extremely worried about the impact on our businesses that we can foresee now as result of measures…

27 Apr

Observatory: Let’s not forget about mental well being

ObserverUncategorisedCovid-19

Thandizo Kawerama The lockdown caused by COVID-19 is obviously going to have a lot of economic implications over a very long term. As stated by the minister of finance, our economy is estimated to be losing N$285 million per day. A stimulus package has been prepared and I think it’s great to see steps being taken toward providing a financial cushion. I do however believe we also need to put urgency on preparing for the social problems that will most certainly increase in light of our new reality. People don’t always react positively to change. In the face of a…

27 Apr

The alleged discrimination against Africans in China

ObserverUncategorisedChina, Chinese Government

Dr Ngarikutuke Tjiriange Some of us highly appreciate how the Chinese Government helped us during our protracted liberation struggle. The Chinese government trained our people in the military in China and in Tanzania and also supplied us with weapons during those difficult years. We shall always be thankful for that. Now that we are independent, we have to remain together as good friends. I was however disturbed by the surprising revelation in the local newspapers that Chinese authorities had subjected an African student who are studying in China to racial discrimination. It is alleged that the authorities in Guangzhou apparently…