Covid-19 – Page 31 – Windhoek Observer

06 Apr

Presidency defends virtual media briefings

ObserverObserver MoneyAlfredo Hengari, Covid-19

Staff Writer The presidency has reacted strongly to a statement issued by the Namibia Media Trust accusing government of undermining media freedom over its decision to hold virtual media briefings, with a handful of selected media outlets. Presidential spokesperson, Alfredo Hengari, said government remained committed to media freedom and the measures taken were in line with guidelines on social distancing. “To fight the propagation of COVID-19 in Namibia, and in compliance with the preventative guidelines of social distancing and avoidance of crowds in one place, the presidency elected, (logically that is) that the 1 April 2020 Presidential Update on COVID-19…

06 Apr

Unions reject proposed wage cuts

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, Finance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi

Staff Writer Government is setting itself up for a fight with unions if it moves ahead to implement any wage cuts for its 100 000 strong civil service as proposed by Finance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi, when he announced the COVID-19 Economic Stimulus Package this week. According to the proposal put forward by Shiimi, government and business owners will be allowed to negotiate a temporary 20 percent reduction of salaries and wages during the crisis period, and 40 percent for the worst-hit industries, such as the tourism, hospitality, travel and aviation sectors, as part of efforts to avoid major retrenchments and…

06 Apr

Business welcomes govt bailout

ObserverObserver MoneyCharity Mwiya, Covid-19, Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI)

Staff Writer The Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) says government’s N$8.1 billion stimulus package will provide vital support to keep businesses afloat in the wake of the damaging effects of the coronavirus pandemic, which follows four consecutive years of an economic slowdown. The package according to NCCI Chief Executive Officer, Charity Mwiya, will help ease the cashflow hardships many businesses are experiencing in order to pay bills and to pay staff. “As the minister of finance Ipumbu Shiimi recognised in his announcement yesterday, businesses keep people in jobs and during these tough times it is vital that businesses…

06 Apr

Old Mutual Namibia commits N$5 million to fight COVID-19

ObserverUncategorisedCovid-19, Kosmas Egumbo, Namibia, Old Mutual Namibia

Staff Writer Old Mutual Namibia has pledged to donate N$5 million towards the nation-wide efforts to help address some of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. “As a caring and responsible business and pursuant to an appeal to the private sector by the President of the Republic of Namibia, H.E. Dr. Hage G. Geingob, Old Mutual Namibia recognises that the COVID-19 pandemic requires a concerted and committed response by all stakeholders, including the private sector,” Old Mutual Group CEO, Kosmas Egumbo said this week. “There is no doubt that Namibia faces an uncertain future as the threat of COVID-19…

06 Apr

Observatory: Where’s the consistency?

ObserverUncategorisedCovid-19, Namibia, Namibians

Thandizo Kawerama When the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Namibia was announced, the government did an amazing job implementing measures to protect the health of Namibians. Social distancing quickly became a recurring theme, and many Namibians started to take preventative measures in case of a full blown outbreak. This was evident by the empty shelves in pharmacies and grocery stores all over the country. In the midst of the growing public concern over COVID-19, President Geingob’s inauguration ceremony last month hosted over 400 guests at the State House, breaking the ‘no more than 50 people in a gathering’ rule…

06 Apr

SHOUT OUT: Eatin’ good in the ‘hood

ObserverUncategorisedCovid-19

Jackie Wilson Asheeke OK…it's a lockdown and we cannot go out. It is time to go ‘ghetto’ with the food stuff in your pantry, cupboards, freezer and fridge. By that, I mean: make a meal with what is there. Times are gettin’ real… We have already been on recession rations for three years. But, with COVID we have to cut down even further. Waste not, want not. I boiled some colorful pasta I had in a kitchen jar as a cute decoration. I added some frozen broccoli, a beef magi cube, and about four tablespoons of ground meat, sautéed with…

06 Apr

How much restriction is too much?

ObserverUncategorisedCovid-19

During the first week of the lockdown, people are already grousing about the inconveniences caused. They are complaining that government is ‘going overboard’ or ‘being excessive’. They are whining about the COVID-19 after-effects on the already depressed economy. These are the same voices who, a few of weeks ago, blasted the government for not moving fast enough and ‘allowing’ those first Romanian tourists who carried the disease into the country. In the middle of a global pandemic, people are crying about their individual needs as if they are the only people that matter. “I think things are too difficult for…

06 Apr

Required leadership style in turbulent and uncertain times

ObserverNational NewsCovid-19, leadership

Julia Muetudhana 1. Organisational structures On 17 March 2020, H.E. Dr. Geingob declared a state of emergency followed by a lock down that officially started on 28 March at 14:00 and ends on 17 April 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic has infiltrated all spheres of our society and work life. It can therefore reasonably be concluded that Globally and for Namibia it has been business unusual especially for many Governments and Private companies. This article is inspired by one of John Maxwell’s quotes: “Everything rises and falls on leadership”. During these turbulent times citizens and employees are looking for leadership to…

31 Mar

Tourism is too big to fail . . . banks must step up in this time of crisis

ObserverNational NewsBanks, Covid-19, Namibia, tourism

The financial crisis that the country has experienced over the last three years is heightened for the tourism sector due to COVID-19. The sector is drowning right now with a lockdown and closed borders. There will be major business contractions in 2020; this is unavoidable. But, some industries are “too big to fail”. Tourism (including restaurants/cafes, professional hunting and communal conservancies) is one of them. The banks must take the lead, along with government and the private sector, to make tangible, well-considered bailout plans to save the stronger parts of the industry before it is too late. We note that…

30 Mar

Banks dodge loan relief

ObserverNational NewsBAN, Bank of Namibia, Banks, Covid-19, Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Standard Bank

Staff Writer Namibian banks are reluctant to offer relief packages to their clients in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic as the country battles to contain any possible transmission from the 11 confirmed cases, despite banks in other countries including South Africa having done so. This comes amid calls for banks operating in Namibia, which have been recording multimillion-dollar profits over the many years, to assist their clients during this period. In South Africa, Standard Bank announced that it will offer a three-month payment holiday for students with loans and small businesses with a turnover of less than N$20 million…