Blog – Page 827 – Windhoek Observer

07 Aug

Jobs are gone – what is the plan?

ObserverUncategorisedCovid-19, Namibia, NamPost

Jackie Wilson Asheeke The new normal means that an unknown number of jobs that are lost due to COVID-19 may never return. A few employers might take advantage of the pandemic to cut salaries or job categories permanently. Most jobs that will vanish will be an honest reflection of a shift in how some sectors do business. How will Namibia get ahead of this crisis in the making? What is the plan? Will we wait (as usual in Namibia) until we are in a crisis over permanent job losses? Or, will we make move to begin re-training programs and unemployment…

07 Aug

Beyond donating a blanket

ObserverUncategoriseddonating, Social media, The Time Traveler

The Time Traveler: Hugh Ellis Over a thousand people were made homeless, at least one person killed, and over 200 homes destroyed when a shack fire tore through the settlement of Twaloloka in Walvis Bay on the night of 26th July. Since then, the response from Good Samaritans has been inspiring. Social media appeals and GoFundMe accounts have been started. Businesses and NGOs offered their premises as collection points and their vehicles as transport. Namibians of all walks of life have donated blankets, clothes and building materials. The response from middle-class Namibians, in particular, makes me a bit less pessimistic…

07 Aug

CoW CEO runs for calmer pastures

ObserverNational NewsCity of Windhoek, Police Chief Abraham Kanime, president Hage Geingob

It is no wonder that recently resigned City of Windhoek (CoW) Chief Executive Officer, Robert Kahimise has jumped ship. The worse job in Namibia is to be a CEO of a municipality or township or village. Who would choose a toxic work environment with stones being thrown from all sides? The skills-based portion of the CoW CEO job could be attractive to many seasoned, experienced city administrators. But, swimming through the effluent of political nonsense, power struggles, personality minefields, and entrenched long-serving bureaucrats is not worth it. Potential city executives out there who value their sanity, expect affirmation at work,…

07 Aug

Investors demand millions from Amushelelo . . . as PG warns investors

ObserverObserver MoneyAmushe Hello Investment, Asset Legacy Investments CC, BoN, Forex Trading Corporation

Andrew Kathindi Investors in Michael Amushelelo’s Forex Trading Corporation, which the Bank of Namibia (BON) has now deemed illegal, are demanding the return of their money. The funds which amount to millions of Namibian dollars had been invested in Amushelelo’s Project One Million and were subsequently frozen by the BON and are currently being used as evidence. According to sources, the money as a part of evidence will only be released once investigations by the Namibian Police have concluded. The Windhoek Observer also has it on good authority that of the millions, only a minimal amount was actually invested in…

07 Aug

Couch Kitten: I will graduate when I finish

ObserverUncategorisedCouch Kitten

Clementine Tjameya Every senior student has at least that one aunt, uncle, granny or just random community member who is always so pressed about when you are finishing your studies. But can someone please tell these busy buddies that things are tough here at varsity. You can’t go around randomly stressing other people’s children with questions like, “When are you graduating?” Is there a time line set for when I am supposed to finish my studies? And even if there is who says I want to follow it? This is not high school. We are seeing flames. In here, we…

07 Aug

Chief Justice, ministers, judges, lawyers in Corona scare

ObserverObserver MoneyChief Justice Peter Shivute, Deputy Chief Justice Petrus Damaseb, Namibia Lawyers Association (NLA), Sisa Namandje

Andrew Kathindi Chief Justice Peter Shivute, ministers, members of the judiciary and legal fraternity are currently in self-isolation after attending the book launch of Deputy Chief Justice Petrus Damaseb, where one of the event organizers tested positive for COVID-19. The event was held last week Wednesday and attended by 100 guests, including six judges, four ministers and lawyers including Sisa Namandje. Chairperson of Namibia Lawyers Association (NLA), which organized the book launch, Taswald July, confirmed that one of the Governance Counsel (GC) members tested positive and is in quarantine. “The relevant protocols have been followed. The venue has been informed…

07 Aug

TUCNA leader fires several shots across the bow

ObserverNational NewsNamibia, NamPower, Namwater, SOEs

In a recent interview, Trade Union Congress of Namibia (TUCNA) Secretary-General Mahongora Kavihuha raised challenging issues. He makes one major misfire in his points and yet, he brings other issues to the table that can stimulate the national debate. He decried the supposed ‘deliberate’ destruction of parastatals. He believes that private companies are killing the SOEs so they can buy them up and control strategic portions of the Namibian economy. In the context of bemoaning 'schemes' about parastatals, Kavihuha asks whether the “pandemic itself was purposefully crafted to push some hidden agendas.” Perhaps the unionist's real intention was not reflected…

07 Aug

Eino Emvula appointed Ninety One MD

ObserverUncategorisedInvestec Asset Management Namibia, Ninety One

Staff Writer Ninety One, the asset manager born out of the rebranding of Investec Asset Management Namibia has appointed Eino Emvula to the position of Managing Director for Namibia & Africa, excluding South Africa effective 1 February 2021. Emvula who replaces James Hatuikulipi, who headed the business under its former name, will join Ninety One from Namibia Asset Management (NAM), where he was Chief Executive Officer. According to the company , over the past decade, Emvula has been instrumental in growing Namibia Stock Exchange listed NAM into the second largest third-party asset manager in Namibia after Ninety One. “I am…

07 Aug

Capricorn to exit Zambia

ObserverObserver MoneyAccess Bank Plc, Capricorn Group, Cavmont Capital Holdings Zambia PLC

Staff Writer Capricorn Group is set to directly disinvest from Zambia, after the banking group announced that it had concluded a purchase agreement with Access Bank Plc for its entire interest in Cavmont Capital Holdings Zambia PLC. Under the terms of the agreement which is still subject to regulatory approval, Access Bank Zambia will acquire the entire issued ordinary share capital, assets and liabilities of Cavmont Bank, and on completion, Cavmont Bank will become part of Access Bank Zambia and operate under the Access Bank brand. Capricorn on the other hand will hold preference shares in the enlarged Access Zambia…

07 Aug

Lazarus Jacobs appointed NBC Board Chairperson

ObserverObserver MoneyLazarus Jacobs, Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), NBC

Andrew Kathindi Cabinet has approved the appointment of Lazarus Jacobs as the new Chairperson of the Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) Board of Directors. “Cabinet endorsed the appointment of nominees to serve as members of the Board of Directors of the Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) for a period of three years effective from 1 August 2020 to 31 July 2023,” said Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Peya Mushelenga. Jacobs replaces Sven Thieme who previously served as Chairman of the NBC Board. Jacobs is the co-founder and Executive Director of Paragon Investment Holdings. He will be joined on the Board by…