Observer – Page 732 – Windhoek Observer

26 Sep

Namibia is correct to demand UN SC changes …but no one votes themselves out of power

ObserverNational NewsUN General Assembly, United Nations

It is long past time for the slow-moving, United Nations to stop talking about reforms to the Security Council and start doing it. Since 1993, the UN General Assembly has hotly debated Council reform but has not been able to reach an agreement. President Hage Geingob’s demand for reform is spot on. Sadly, his voice has very little power in the United Nations (UN) - as is the case for all General Assembly members. The UN will remain a body controlled under post-WWII decision-making structures from 75 years ago. It is unresponsive to 21st-century global power realities. The problem is…

26 Sep

Meatco engages ‘weekend’ farmers

ObserverUncategorisedMeat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco), Meatco Foundation

Staff Writer The Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) recently hosted a Stakeholder Engagement Meeting mainly with boardroom farmers or weekend farmers, as they are otherwise known, and members from the Namibia Emerging Commercial Farmers Union (NECFU) with the aiming of engaging on their contribution to the agricultural sector value chain. Meatco’s Chief Executive Officer, Mwilima Mushokabanji, in his introductory remarks, highlighted how the agricultural sector has evolved from the way it operated 20-30 years ago. Mushokabanji pointed out that the contribution of agriculture to the gross domestic product of Namibia has gradually declined from 1990 because of declining production. “More…

26 Sep

GIPF appoints UK consultants…as RisCura loses contract

ObserverObserver MoneyGovernment Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF)

Staff Writer The Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) has announced the appointment of two new United Kingdom based investment consultants. According the fund, Lane Clark & Peacock LLP will consult on investments, while BFinance UK Limited, will consult on the selection/search of asset managers. “Lane Clark & Peacock LLP will consult on investments, while BFinance UK Limited, will consult on the selection/search of Asset Managers. Both entities are domiciled in the United Kingdom and both bring a wealth of financial and investment expertise to the Fund. The selection process, which was advertised late last year, was guided by, and in…

26 Sep

ECN won’t investigate illegal voter registration

ObserverObserver MoneyElectoral Commission of Namibia (ECN)

Andrew Kathindi The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has ruled out investigating allegations that Angolan nationals are being illegally registered as voters, a move which opposition political parties have said will impact on the credibility and outcome of elections. The decision by the ECN flies in the face of a confirmation by Swapo Omusati regional coordinator Sackey Kayone that he had received a report detailing how Angolan nationals are being registered in his area. According to Kayone, the report from the Okalongo councilor has fingered church leaders and ECN officials for assisting Angolan nationals to get voting cards. When quizzed…

26 Sep

State assets valued at N$11.9 billion…as Shiimi admits non-compliance

ObserverObserver MoneyFinance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi, Government

Andrew Kathindi The Namibian government has assets worth N$11.9 billion as of 16 September, Finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi has revealed. Of this, the state has movable assets amounting to N$3.9 billion, which include stock, equipment, furniture and vehicles while immovable assets, including land, plants (factories) and buildings stand at N$7.9 billion. The combined total value of movable and immovable assets is N$11.9 billion. The government’s value of immovable asset consists of 692 farming units and 744 housing units. “With regards to resettlement farms, to date Government has spent about N$2.3 billion to acquire about 558 farming units measuring about 3,376,965…

25 Sep

It is time to say goodbye to Kurt

ObserverNational NewsKurt von Francois, Namibia, Windhoek

The offensive and non-representative statue of Kurt von Francois in Windhoek must fall. For some time, people in cities all over the world have been on fire about their statues and memorials. All through recorded history, statues of people who no longer resonate with those in power were removed, smashed or desecrated. Change and upheaval usually mean that things are no longer seen in the same light. People who are living in an era, have the right to decide what monuments and statues should continue standing. The people living during the time when these statues were erected had the right…

25 Sep

Take care of your hair!

ObserverUncategorisedCovid-19, Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun, ZZI Family Hair Studio, ZZI Hair Empower

Staff Writer ZZI Family Hair Studio will be hosting its first ZZI Hair Empower event on 1 October 2020.. It will be hosted online to adhere to COVID-19 regulations. The Hair Empower event forms part of the Studios’ educative and corporate social responsibility arm. Some of the proceeds from the tickets will go towards an initiative that promotes the well-being of the community in which, ZZI Family Studio operates in. The aim of the event is to create brand awareness of the ZZI Family Hair Studio, as a family Studio and to educate both males and females about hair health…

25 Sep

Sam Shivute vows zero tolerance for tax avoiders …as NamRA Act is still to be enacted

ObserverObserver MoneyNamibia Revenue Agency (NamRA), Sam Shivute

Andrew Kathindi Newly appointed Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) Commissioner, Sam Shivute has vowed zero tolerance for tax avoiders. He said he would not be intimidated in his pursuit of tax collection. This comes six years after it was alleged that Shivute’s tenure as the Commissioner for Inland Revenue in the Finance ministry came to an end when he pursued certain non-tax-compliant business people. It is alleged that he received personal threats as a result. “In NamRA, integrity and good ethics will be non-negotiable and there will be zero tolerance to corruption. We will endeavour to have the right staff, with…

25 Sep

Twaloloka residents to receive houses by October

ObserverObserver MoneyMinister of Urban and Rural Development, Ministry of Finance, Office of the Prime Minister, Twaloloka

Helena Johannes Information minister, Peya Mushelenga has announced that Cabinet has given the municipality of Walvis Bay until the last week of October to ensure the occupation of housing units which were allocated to Twaloloka beneficiaries. Mushelenga said Cabinet has mandated the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development to oversee the implementation of the relocation of programme, supported by the Walvis Bay municipality and the office of the Governor of the Erongo Region. “The Cabinet is in line with sourcing of service providers on an emergency basis to implement the project, while the beneficiaries would contribute to the construction of…

25 Sep

Govt gazettes new regulations

ObserverObserver MoneyHealth Minister Kalumbi Shangula

Andrew Kathindi New regulations that will guide how Namibians will live under the new normal have finally been gazetted, following the lapse of the state of emergency, last week. Health Minister Kalumbi Shangula will now be empowered under Section 29 of the Public and Environmental Act to implement regulations which were initially set to come into effect on the 18th of September. “The drafting of the Regulations took longer than anticipated due to the nature and number of legal issues that requires thorough consideration,” Attorney General, Festus Bandeka told Windhoek Observer. The new regulations came into operation at midnight on…