Observer Money – Page 197 – Windhoek Observer

21 Jul

COVID death headaches

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, Walvis Bay

Andrew Kathindi Government has again been caught ill prepared when it comes to the COVID-19 issue, as it emerged that no contingency plans were made in case the country recorded deaths. This comes as the country as of today (Monday) had now recorded four deaths according to the Ministry of Health, with thirteen cases extremely critical and in need of oxygen support. This comes as the Walvis Bay community has been up in arms with the local authority over its decision to bury the first COVID-19 death in the town. The Ministry leading the COVID-19 task force maintained its role…

17 Jul

Local companies lose N$6.5 billion on NSX

ObserverObserver MoneyCapricorn Group, FirstRand Namibia, Namibia, Namibian Breweries

Staff Writer Capricorn Group, FirstRand Namibia, Namibian Breweries lost a combined N$6.5 billion in value after the counters recorded massive loses on Thursday’s trade on the Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX). The biggest loser was FirstRand Namibia which shed a massive N$2.9 billion in value, closing Thursday trade with a market capitalization of N$5.3 billion, down 35.37 percent. Diversified financial services group, Capricorn Group, the owners of Bank Windhoek shed N$1.8 billion in value, closing Thursday trade with a market capitalization of N$5.3 billion, down 25 percent. Ohlthaver & List Group controlled Namibian Breweries’ market capitalization plummeted 25,35 percent, down N$1.8…

17 Jul

SPYL weighs into NCAA suspensions

ObserverObserver MoneyEmployees, Namibian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL)

Andrew Kathindi Employees’ suspensions and occurrences at the Namibian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) turned into a political storm on Friday 17 July after the Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) weighed in, raising concerns about developments at the state owned enterprise. This comes after videos on social media went viral showing a legal officer at the NCAA, Natalia Isak, being suspended, seemingly after raising concerns about irregularities at the government body tasked with regulating air traffic services in the country. The alleged concerns raised by Isak include unfair and inconsistent salary grades, illegal recruitment processes, modern day slavery and exploitation of…

17 Jul

Walvis Bay, Swakop classes to resume

ObserverObserver MoneyArts and Culture, Covid-19, Ministry of Education, Sanet Steenkamp, Swakopmund and Arandis, Walvis Bay

Staff Writer Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture has announced that face-to-face classes for grade 11 and 12 in Walvis Bay, Swakopmund and Arandis will resume on Monday, the 20th of July despite rising cases of COVID-19 in some of the towns. Walvis Bay is currently the epicenter of COVID-19 cases in the country with 40 out of the 46 cases recorded on Friday being from the costal town. On Wednesday, of the 72 new cases recorded, two were from Swakopmund and 68 were from Walvis Bay. Executive Director in the Education ministry, Sanet Steenkamp said although the return of…

17 Jul

We didn’t make a mistake – ECN

ObserverObserver MoneyElectoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), High Cour, PDM

Andrew Kathindi The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) maintains it did not make a mistake regarding the amendment of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) parliamentary list, seemingly hinting at its intention to appeal the High Court ruling. On Monday the High Court ruled in favour of PDM members Charmaine Tjirare and Hidipo Hamata in their case in which they challenged their removal from their party’s parliamentary list which was gazetted just before last year’s general election. The ruling requires that PDM members Charmaine Tjirare, Reggie Diergaardt, Frans Bertolini, Yvette Araes, Mike Venaani and Tjekupe Maximilliant Katjimune be sworn in as…

17 Jul

CoW does not hold 5G licence – Kahimise

ObserverObserver MoneyCity of Windhoek (CoW), Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN), Huawei

Staff Writer The City of Windhoek (CoW) says it does not hold a 5G licence and has never applied for one with Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN). The announcement by the municipality comes after CoW has been accused of having engaged Chinese telecommunication giant Huawei to partner in the role out of the fifth generation technology standard under its ambitious smart city initiative. “Council has never applied for a 5G Spectrum License with CRAN. You need a specific Spectrum License to operate a 5G network. There exist no 5G project approved by Council at the City of Windhoek and…

17 Jul

Geingob hits back at opposition parties

ObserverObserver MoneyMembers of Parliament, president Hage Geingob

…as ruling party divisions continue Andrew Kathindi President Hage Geingob has hit back at opposition parties in Parliament who threatened to take Swapo to court over the selection of Parliamentary Committee members, calling their claims weak. This comes after opposition parties and Swapo reached an impasse over parliamentary committees. Thye could not agree on members to nominate. “The case of the Opposition, regarding the constitution of the committees, is weak. The rules are clear that proportional representation applies to the entire National Assembly and not just the committees,” said Geingob. Standing Committees are smaller groups of Members of Parliament elected…

16 Jul

Reflections on Singapore: Lessons for Namibia

ObserverObserver MoneyNamibia, Singapore

Metusalem Nakale (DSocSci) Singapore’s economic transformation is the envy of many countries around the world. From 1967 to 1989, the real gross domestic product of Singapore increased six-fold, growing at 8.8 % a year. But how did Singapore do it? And what lessons can Namibia draw from Singapore’s experiences? Upon independence, in 1965, Singapore adopted a developmental state model of economic development. In this type of economic model, the state plays a significant role in directing economic activities. This model is contrasted with the free-market. The latter regards state intervention as detrimental to economic development. Supporters of the free-market ideology…

16 Jul

Walvis Bay allocates 60 state-built houses

ObserverObserver MoneyImmanuel Wilfred, Walvis Bay Mayor

…only those qualifying for bank loans are recipients Andrew Kathindi The Walvis Bay Municipality has finally allocated 60 houses that had remained unoccupied in the coastal town. The properties were earmarked only for those qualifying for bank loans who were already on the waiting list. Some of those receiving the properties were formerly backyard settlers. The allocation of the houses comes as President Hage Geingob had announced that government will decide on what to do with the vacant houses. “These houses are for people to stay because there is too much congestion in the informal settlement. There are too many…

16 Jul

Germany grants N$250m to MEFT

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, Forestry and Tourism, German Federal Government, Ministry of Environment, Namibian government

…to mitigate pandemic effects on environment and conservation Staff Writer The German Federal Government has availed approximately N$250 million to support the Namibian Government, through the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, in mitigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the conservation and tourism sector. This comes as the conservation and tourism sector has been significantly affected by the loss of income from tourism, caused by worldwide lockdown measures and international travel restrictions, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Countrywide employment and vital conservation activities are in jeopardy, risking the survival of local communities, wildlife and protected areas. The funds…