info_e12wt4cs – Page 909

16 May

Couch kitten: Don’t dump your friends

info_e12wt4csUncategorisedCovid-19, lockdown

Wetumwene Shikage During this time when the world is greatly affected by the global pandemic COVID-19, restrictive measures have been put in place. These measures are not to cage us, they are to keep us safe. It is important to remember the people who keep you going and keep you happy or entertained. Our friends are people we have bonds of mutual affection outside work and home. A global pandemic should not weaken the bonds we have with the different friends we have. All of my friends are different from one another. Recognizing the friends you have is important so…

16 May

The kitchen: where strong bonds are built

info_e12wt4csUncategorised

Clementine Tjameya After years and years of mixing every edible thing in the kitchen with my mom to come up with new recipes, I have learned that the kitchen is where strong mother-daughter bonds are born. Nothing strengthens a girl’s relationship with her mom better than trying out new recipes together. Fathers and sons should try it too! It is all about opening up, feeling safe, feeling supported and affirmed and having fun. Apart from being in suspense about how your recipe will come out, you will have plenty of time to share what is going on in each other’s…

16 May

NCCI takes aim at Banks

info_e12wt4csUncategorisedCovid-19, NCCI

Staff Writer The Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) has raised concern over relief measures offered by commercial banks. NCCI Chief Executive Officer Charity Mwiya speaking during a meeting with the Bank of Namibia (BON) Deputy Governor Ebson Uanguta, accused banks not delivering on promises made to assist businesses negatively affected by the effects of COVID-19. “For example banks are swift in offering debt servicing holidays, but that such offers preclude interest reduction. To add salt to injury by adding administrative charges, treating a payment holiday as a new loan or credit facility, in doing so expecting borrowers to…

16 May

The meal has been eaten; the bill must be paid

info_e12wt4csNational News

The real challenge the president faces is not cancelling car purchases or termination of special advisors to regional governors, but how the Eurobonds taken in US dollar currency will be re-paid on time. The US$500 million bond taken out in 2011 is due in October 2021. That means nearly N$9.3 billion will be payable to those holding the bonds in about 17 months. These monies borrowed during the presidency of Hifikepunye Pohamba have long since been spent. The meal has been eaten, now the waiter is hovering near the Namibian table with the portable swipe machine ready, watching us. The…

15 May

Manganese boosts TransNamib’s volumes

info_e12wt4csUncategorisedChina, Manganese, TransNamib

Staff Writer The transportation of manganese has provided a boost for TransNamib, with the company now transporting 15,000 tons per month. Manganese is mainly used in the steel industry as an alloy, playing a significant role in making steel from iron, also used in dry cell batteries and as a black-brown pigment in paint, with its main export market being China. "The route travelled has become a major revenue source for TransNamib in terms of moving manganese for our customers and the executives needed to see first-hand the operations and challenges on the route," TransNamib Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Johny…

15 May

Cabinet conflict of interest under review

info_e12wt4csNational News

We are encouraged to read that cabinet members with conflicts of interest regarding the fisheries issue on the agenda had to step out. What concerns us is that such an action is considered new. This should have been the case from the start. A conflict of interest is “a situation in which a person is in a position to derive personal benefit from actions or decisions made in their official capacity and where your separate duties to act in the best interests of two or more clients in the same or a related matter conflict.” Cabinet must always act ethically…

15 May

Commemorative banknote to start circulating

info_e12wt4csUncategorisedBank of Namibia, Independence Day, Kazembire Zemburuka

Staff Writer The N$30 commemorative banknote launched on Independence Day by the Bank of Namibia shall be available to the public as from Friday, 15 May 2020, the apex bank has announced. “ The public is also hereby informed that the N$30 commemorative banknote will only be issued at the tills, inside all commercial bank’s branches and not at the Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs),” BoN Deputy Director: Corporate Communications, Kazembire Zemburuka said. “To obtain the N$30 commemorative banknote from commercial banks, one will have to exchange an equivalent amount of the current family of banknotes or coins, for the banknote.”…

14 May

The selfish rich and middle classes

info_e12wt4csNational Newsmiddle classes, rich

Those who eat regularly, have some income, and a safe, warm place to sleep need to stop shouting so loud. Your noise is drowning out the screams from those who have nothing. These are challenging times and all of us must come down a notch or two. The selfish rich and middle classes, need a wake-up call. Someone who never has bread does not worry about not having bread. But, the person used to eating bread everyday feels bereft they miss bread for only one day out of seven. We must be careful about shifting limited resources to appease the…

13 May

The COVID-19 #newnormal won’t be business as usual

info_e12wt4csUncategorisedCovid-19, Namibia, school

Jan Coetzee Namibia, went into lockdown several weeks ago, our Government’s firm and swift response has so far kept the number of infections very low. Thankfully no deaths have been recorded either and Namibia may come out of this quite well. Certainly not discounting the damage to the economy or the closure of the schools and social activities that these necessary steps have caused. Eventually the economy will recover, kids will go back to school, but COVID-19 has left an indelible mark on our society and how we life, work and play. How we work is what I would like…

13 May

‘Namibianize’ Namibia

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNamibia, president Hage Geingob

Most Namibians love their country and do not divide their loyalty by ethnic, racial or tribal segments. They are proud Namibians. This is no less the case for us. But, when the members of boards, holders of high office and certain government job appointments, are only people from the Oshiwambo-speaking ethnic group, the playing field is uneven. This is a problem. Those responsible for this problem know that giving jobs or appointments based on tribal origin is unfair (and illegal). But, there is an unspoken arrogant response in the air, “We’ve done this and there is nothing you can do…