Uncategorised – Page 42 – Windhoek Observer

10 Apr

Namib Mills, Agra in racism storm

ObserverUncategorisedAgra, Employment Equity Commission, Namib Mills, Otniel Podewiltz, racism storm

Rose-Mary Haufiku Namib Mills and Agra have been caught in a racism storm, amid allegations that the companies are practicing racial discrimination in recruitment, appointments, promotions and how they deal with work place issues concerning people of colour. In the case of Agra, documents from the Employment Equity Commission, which is tasked with addressing issues of transformation in organisations and in possession of the Windhoek Observer, show that the company has only appointed two persons of colour to senior and middle management positions since 2016, compared to 31 racially advantaged individuals. “The Commission wishes to use this opportunity to once…

08 Apr

Meatco to retrench

ObserverUncategorisedMeat Corporation of Namibia, Meatco

Staff Writer The Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) has announced embarking on restructuring its business which will see more than 80 employees of the company being retrenched. The planned retrenchments by the meat processors, will affect employees who are 55 years and above. “As part of ensuring that Meatco remains competitive, sustainable and profitable, the Company crafted a leaner, agile and dynamic structure to make Meatco more robust in this ambiguous global environment. As a result of this process, employees who are 55 years and above, and in particular those that are already 60 years and above will part ways…

02 Apr

Capitalist cartel ruling the roost of communal farming

ObserverUncategorisedCapitalist cartel, communal farming, expropriation of land and/or farms without compensation

Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro Covid-19 continues to wreak havoc on many sectors of the Namibia economy. Evidence hereof is the accelerated liquidation of the national airline, Air Namibia. Surely Air Namibia may not be the first and the last. Many others are certain to follow in view of the forecast protracted recovery of the local economy. Another sector that has been feeling the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in Namibia, is the tourism sector, with one of its subsector, trophy hunting, equally heavily affected and impacted. One is reminded of the lucrative era in this subsector ushered in by Namibia’s independence when…

02 Apr

The Time Traveler: Beyond The First 48

ObserverUncategorisedOscar Pistorius, The First 48

Hugh Ellis One of my favorite series to binge-watch is ‘The First 48’. It follows teams of crack detectives during the apparently critical first 48 hours after a murder is reported. The cameras have access - obviously carefully controlled - to crime scene examinations, meetings with witnesses, interrogation of suspects. Sometimes the culprits slip away, but more often than not the detectives turn up something, the murderer makes a mistake, a clue is discovered, and an arrest is made. Then, at least so we are led to believe, the murderer is put on trial, convicted and sent to prison. The…

02 Apr

Namibia gets N$3.9 billion IMF loan

ObserverUncategorisedNamibia gets N$3.9 billion IMF loan

Staff Writer The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a N$3.9 billion (US$270.83 million) loan for Namibia under its Covid-19 Rapid Facility. “The Ministry of Finance wishes to announce the approval of US$270.83 million (about N$3.9 billion as at current exchange rate) by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to address the fiscal financing needs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” the Ministry of Finance said. The Ministry said the application was done last year from the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) availed by the IMF to middle-income countries. “The RFI provides rapid financial assistance to all IMF member countries (shareholders) facing financial…

02 Apr

Health Ministry fails to suspend violent nurses

ObserverUncategorisedBen Nangombe, Health Executive Director, Junias Shilunga, Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS), Namibian Nurses Union Secretary General, Oshakati Intermediate Hospital, three unidentified nurses

Kandjemuni Kamuiiri and Rose-Mary Haufiku The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) says its hands are tied when it comes to taking disciplinary action against the three unidentified nurses from the Oshakati Intermediate Hospital who were filmed physically and verbally assaulting a patient. The ministry has not suspended the three but instead assigned them new duties at the hospital while the matter is being investigated. Health Executive Director, Ben Nangombe, said, the Public Service Act dictates the circumstances under which a staff member in the public service may be suspended. "Suspension should first be conducted or effected when you…

02 Apr

Geingob summons Vilho . . . as Venaani dares President

ObserverUncategorisedGeingob summons Vilho, Venaani

Maria Hamutenya President Hage Geingob has summoned Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Peter Vilho, following allegations of illicit proceeds in undeclared foreign bank account. The meeting according to the Presidency is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 6 April 2021. “President Geingob has summoned the Minister following consultation with the Vice President, the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister”. This comes as Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) President, McHenry Venaani, has dared the President to fire Vilho, amid allegations of corruption and mismanagement at August 26 levelled against him. In an open letter to the President on the 31st…

01 Apr

BOOK REVIEW: Towards a People’s Constitution for Botswana

ObserverUncategorisedJustice Oagile Bethuel Key Dingake, Towards A People’s Constitution for Botswana

Moses Magadza WINDHOEK – A constitution developed through wide consultations with the people that it is intended to serve is more likely to be a widely accepted and respected document than one crafted behind the scenes and foisted onto the people. This seems to be the pith or fulcrum of “Towards A People’s Constitution for Botswana”, one of four recent books by Justice Oagile Bethuel Key Dingake. Last year I reviewed two of Dingake’s books, namely, “Judges” and “In Pursuit of Justice”. I promised to review the remaining two books, being, “Towards A People’s Constitution for Botswana” (which I review…

31 Mar

The Dollar-Rand Peg: Time to Decouple?

ObserverUncategorisedCommon Monetary Area (CMA), Covid-19, Namibia, RMB

Carel Jordaan Namibia’s sophisticated and liquid foreign exchange market plays a crucial role in its economy. Notwithstanding the country’s size, we have a very liquid market. Banks, like FirstRand Namibia, have been playing a key role in establishing this market. Equally, banks are instrumental in developing, capacitating and growing its potential. Although the Namibian Dollar replaced the South African Rand in 1993, following Namibia’s independence from its neighbour, the rand remains widely used in Namibia. Moreover, the dollar has been pegged to the rand at one to one as Namibia is a member of the Common Monetary Area (CMA). The…

30 Mar

The basics of grazing management

ObserverUncategorised

Erastus Ngaruka The grazing value and capacity of the land is a factor of certain attributes such as the soil condition, grass species composition, density, and abundance amongst others. These attributes are further influenced by rainfall activities and the intensity of utilization of the grazing materials. Grazing management refers to the approaches that farmers use to ensure that their livestock have controlled access to a grazing area. This is basically done to prevent overgrazing and to ensure seasonal availability of grazing materials for their livestock. Many areas in Namibia have lost their grazing values and capacities over the years principally…