info_e12wt4cs – Page 907

26 May

Couch Cat: Power is too expensive, embrace the dark!

info_e12wt4csUncategorisedCouch Cat

Jackie Wilson Asheeke My electricity bill has long been climbing for unknown reasons and it is putting me into the poor house fast. In a few more months, we will be using candles for light at night, grilling our food and heating water outside on the braai. With earning prospects dimmed, looking hard at every expenditure is no longer an option. For years now, I have reduced power drains severely. There is no more swimming pool pump, no more dishwasher, the geyser is off during the day and most of the night, and no more dryer. And yet, my bill…

26 May

Materialist conception of history context of the National Resistance

info_e12wt4csUncategorisedNamibian

Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro One may agree or disagree that the National Resistance which eventually on March 21, 1990, heralded Namibian independence, freedom, liberty and sovereignty, was not an end and could not have been an end in itself. But imperative as a first step towards the end, this end being the Second Phase of the African (Namibian) Revolution. But the question that must have been bugging and begging is, if indeed Namibia, with the attainment of her freedom and independence on March 21, 1990, is whether actually Namibia has embarked on the Second Phase of her National Revolution? And if, what…

26 May

Stop gambling with the lives of students

info_e12wt4csUncategorisedstudents

Thandizo Kawerama Nobody signed up for all the unexpected changes in 2020, and students most definitely did not register for them. It’s not fair to put blame on anyone as not many could have planned ahead for a pandemic. However the reality is that students forced into distance and e-learning are not receiving the level of courses and study that they agreed to when they registered at the beginning of the year. And yet, they are being asked to perform at high levels in the face of uncertainty. It’s unfair to assume that students will be able to produce the…

26 May

Lettin’ folks out of lock-up – is it a good thing?

info_e12wt4csUncategorisedNamibia

Jackie Wilson Asheeke When the president decided to pardon petty criminals, I thought, “ok…that’s nice…now what?” ‘Ripping-the-band-aid-off’ abrupt actions can cause more harm than good. These former inmates will be thrown out onto the streets and expected to ‘be ok.’ Reality check: They won’t be ok. What is the plan beyond unlocking the doors and saying, ‘get out?’ Proven criminals with no money will be stealing within hours just to get a bus ticket to get home or find food that day. It is colder these days…shall they steal blankets and coats to sleep outside at night? There are no…

26 May

Is the cure worse than the disease?

info_e12wt4csNational NewsCovid-19, Namibia

We remain committed to following government rules regarding the multi-stage lockdown. However, we feel obliged to ask the question for debate: Are our cures/prevention remedies for the pandemic worse than the disease itself? The latest articles and commentary seem to agree that this virus will never ‘go away’. It will be in our world always until there is a vaccine or cure. Shall we stay in a state of emergency forever? With rich countries ready to pay for the vaccine or cure, big pharma (global drug companies) is moving like Usain Bolt with research and testing. A treatment/cure/vaccine will now…

26 May

Meatco, NAFAU sign revised recognition agreement

info_e12wt4csUncategorisedMeat Corporation of Namibia, Meatco, Namibian Food and Allied Workers Union (NAFAU)

Staff Writer The Meat Corporation of Namibia (MEATCO) and the Namibian Food and Allied Workers Union (NAFAU) have signed the revised Recognition and Procedural Agreement. The main highlight of the revised agreement is the change to the employees who fall under the Bargaining Unit as A1-B2 which is now extended from A1-B5. “This means that all employees that fall within the Bargaining Unit currently will be represented by the Union during salary increment negotiations and other pertinent matters.” Under the newly signed agreement, the parties had a task to review the provisions of the agreement and to update outdated provisions…

26 May

Sanlam donates Protective and Screening equipment

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyCity of Windhoek, Covid-19, Sanlam Group

Staff Writer Sanlam has donated protective and screening equipment to the City of Windhoek. The items were handed over in support of the City of Windhoek’s efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic within the city. Speaking at the handover, Sanlam Group CEO Tertius Stears said Sanlam was committed to fight the pandemic in the city in particular and the whole country in general. Stears said, “The world as we know it has changed and we are still to find and adjust to the “new normal,but in getting there we all have to work together and pull our efforts in the…

21 May

Dempsey takes over as FirstRand Namibia Group CEO

info_e12wt4csUncategorisedConrad Dempsey, FirstRand Namibia, RMB Namibia

Staff Writer RMB Namibia Chief Executive Officer, Conrad Dempsey has been appointed FirstRand Namibia Group CEO Designate effective 1 July 2020 and will officially takeover reigns from Sarel van Zyl who retires on 30 September 2020. “He brings a wealth of work experience from around the world as well as Africa and successfully has led and developed RMB into the most successful Corporate and Investment Bank in Namibia. He has an incredibly deep understanding of the group’s businesses and our culture and I know he will take FirstRand to even greater heights”, said Van Zyl. “We have developed a strong…

20 May

Labour issue in court case signals doom

info_e12wt4csNational Newscourt, labour

In general, we tend to support the lawsuit by several companies challenging the government. The cherry-picking of existing national labour laws, will destroy their businesses. Other laws that could overlap this situation are being side-stepped. The precedent is frightening. Others will credibly argue that the prevention of mass terminations and precipitously firing thousands of workers during a state of emergency is not a political agenda, but a national security consideration. At worst, it is a humanitarian imperative. The courts will have their hands full sorting the matter. Many are watching this ruling. This decision could break the Namibian economy, either…

20 May

Rental prices rebound

info_e12wt4csUncategorisedCovid-19, FNB, FNB Rental Index, Frans Uusiku

Staff Writer The FNB Rental Index for the first quarter of 2020 shows that overall residential rent prices rebounded from a two-year negative growth territory. Frans Uusiku, FNB Market Research Manager said the Covid-19 lockdown is bound to paint a different picture when looking at quarter two of 2020. “Although we reached a 12-month average growth of 0.0 percent at the end of March, bringing the national monthly average rent price to N$ 7465, we know that the pandemic has disrupted business activity, resulting in job losses and reduced income for the most part of the labour force. This is…