GIPF – Windhoek Observer

06 Sep

GIPF takes a stand against unethical conduct

ObserverNational NewsGIPF, GIPF CEO David Nuyoma, Government Institutes Pension Fund (GIPF), Yvonne Dausab

Martin Endjala The Government Institutes Pension Fund (GIPF) is promising to come down on individuals and organizations that are conducting themselves unethically, as it launched today its Ethics Helpdesk and website for whistleblowers, to create and promote a culture of speaking out without fear of retribution or intimidation against corruption. According to GIPF the ethics management strategy standard operations is linked to the implementation of whistleblowers mechanism that will ensure that they are protected and kept anonymous when they lift the lid on possible unethical conduct. The GIPF believes that improper and irregular behaviour will be nipped in the bud,…

08 Oct

GIPF takes member education to the Omaheke Region

ObserverUncategorisedAmos Kambonde, GIPF, Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF)

Amos Kambonde The Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) is a defined pension Fund that provides guaranteed pension benefits to its large membership base. As a government pension fund, membership to the fund is compulsory, as such GIPF has the mandate to make sure that its members are knowledgeable about their benefits and how the Fund operates. The Omaheke Region is one of the most sparsely populated regions in the country. As a result, members find it difficult to reach or access GIPF services timeously. Against this background, the GIPF decided to embark on an initiative of taking member education to…

21 May

Stakeholder Engagement in the new normal

ObserverUncategorisedGIPF, Morna Ikosa

Morna Ikosa The Covid-19 pandemic, though ferocious and deadly, has provided communicators tools to enhance stakeholder engagement. The Greek philosopher Heraclitus once said “change is the only constant in life”. Those who are agile, dynamic, and flexible- rule the world. Communicators as social scientists, have a unique opportunity to set new precedence on how to effectively communicate with their stakeholders during this pandemic and beyond. We have an open canvass, and we can go beyond the sky. The quote: “Never waste an opportunity offered by a good crisis.,” by Franklin Delano Roosevelt, is indicative of what we at the Government…

18 May

Moving the needle on Infrastructure Development … ‘An Allocator’s perspective’

ObserverUncategorisedAlternative Investments, GIPF, Namibia Financial Sector Strategy, Sara Mezui-Engo

Sara Mezui Engo Much discourse has taken place on the catalytic role of infrastructure development in spurring economic growth and attracting investment. Similarly, policy makers have responded in the form of NDP 5; HPP2; SDG; Climate resilience forums; PPP 1legislation and the Namibia Financial Sector Strategy, which through regulatory provisions, enforced contractual savings to increase domestic asset allocation. Furthermore, institutions have been set up to support the cause, in particular the Private Public Partnership unit at Ministry of Finance (MoF) and the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB). In addition, through HPP2 government offices, ministries, and agencies (OMAs) have…

18 Sep

Baobab investments safe – GIPF …as NAMFISA de-registers fund manager

ObserverUncategorisedBaobab Capital (Pty), Baobab Growth Fund (Pty), David Nuyoma, GIPF

Staff Writer The Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) says N$87 million invested by its now-deregistered fund manager Baobab Capital (Pty) through Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), Baobab Growth Fund (Pty), remain secure. The GIPF had committed N$140 million in October 2016 to the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), which has a venture capital mandate to invest in start-up companies. This comes as the Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (NAMFISA) on Wednesday announced that it had de-registered the fund manager. The de-registration comes after NAMFISA conducted its own investigations into the affairs of Baobab Capital (Pty) and Baobab Growth Fund (Pty). “The Fund…

24 Jul

GIPF investee harvests first blueberry crop

ObserverUncategorisedGIPF, Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF), Mashare Berries, Rundu

Staff Writer The Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) has announced the first large-scale Namibian commercial blueberry harvest, produced by the Mashare Berries project, which forms part of the Spitz Capital Fund anchored in the GIPF unlisted investment programme. The fund has invested N$90 million into the blueberry production project that is situated 50km east of Rundu on the banks of the Kavango River. This aims to harvest an estimated 150 tons of blueberries between July and October 2020. In a statement, the GIPF announced that the blueberry project supports its investment strategy of selecting high value crops for export to…

25 Jun

GIPF embarks on member Education campaign

ObserverUncategorisedGIPF, Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF)

Staff Writer The Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) will embark on a member education campaign aimed at informing, educating and sensitizing our members about their benefits and rules of the Fund “The campaign will commerce on 29 June and will run until 31 July 2020. It is with great pleasure that we invite all our members to make use of these member information sessions on radio and print. We wish to emphasize that it is our members’ responsibility to make sure that they tune in and listen or buy the local newspapers to know more about GIPF offerings. As a…

23 Apr

Retirement: A new chapter in the story of your life

ObserverUncategorisedGIPF, Retirement

GIPF Manager: Strategy & Projects Desmond Nikanor There is an old adage that says “retirement is not closing the book, it is just a brand new chapter”. This saying is especially true because it correctly implies that you have the ability to author and take control of this chapter in your life. The extent to which you will enjoy your retirement depends largely on the financial decisions and other support structures you have put in place before and during your retirement. Whether you have prepared well or not, it is never too late to improve your current retirement living. The…

24 Mar

What happens the day after?

ObserverUncategorisedCovid-19, David Nuyoma, GIPF, Government Insurance Pension Fund (GIPF)

The CEO of the Government Insurance Pension Fund (GIPF), David Nuyoma made a comment this week that needs to be repeated. He said, “The GIPF will not be making any rushed investment decisions [due to the virus].” This wisdom needs to be injected into our Covid-19 mitigation ideas and plans right now. Programs must not be entered in a rush of ‘doing something’ about Covid-19. When the virus emergency passes, as it eventually will, the after crisis recovery could be worse for the already-stressed Namibian economy. When the Titanic hit the iceberg, the crew, in its haste to ‘save as…