Observer Money – Page 261 – Windhoek Observer

27 May

COVID-19 effects bleed businesses – survey

Observer MoneyCovid-19, Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA)

Staff Writer A Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) survey has found that 96.5 percent of businesses have been adversely affected by the coronavirus and will continue to be affected in the coming months. “The majority of operating businesses have indicated reduction in local customer demand as the most common current and future effect experienced by 68.8 percent and 65.1 percent of the businesses, respectively. Furthermore, 63.7 percent of businesses reported revenue loss of over 50 percent with the Manufacturing sector (20.1 percent), Hotels and Restaurants (15.2 percent) and Construction sector (11.3 percent) bearing most of the blunt.” The survey found that…

26 May

Sanlam donates Protective and Screening equipment

Observer MoneyCity of Windhoek, Covid-19, Sanlam Group

Staff Writer Sanlam has donated protective and screening equipment to the City of Windhoek. The items were handed over in support of the City of Windhoek’s efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic within the city. Speaking at the handover, Sanlam Group CEO Tertius Stears said Sanlam was committed to fight the pandemic in the city in particular and the whole country in general. Stears said, “The world as we know it has changed and we are still to find and adjust to the “new normal,but in getting there we all have to work together and pull our efforts in the…

19 May

Niikondo appointed NUST acting VC

Observer MoneyDr Andrew Niikondo, Namibia University of Science and Technology, NUST

Staff writer The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) Council has appointed Dr Andrew Niikondo as the university’s new Acting Vice-Chancellor, effective 19 May 2020. Niikondo’s appointment follows the expiry of the acting term of Morné Du Toit, who now reverts to his substantive position of Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Finance and Administration. Dr Niikondo is expected to serve for a period of six (6) months, or until the position is substantially filled, which ever date is earlier. “It is envisaged that the recruitment of the Vice-Chancellor will be concluded in the second half of the year. The Council is confident…

14 May

Geingob cancels new state cars

Observer MoneyCovid-19, Presidency, president Hage Geingob

. . . as fuel usage is capped Staff Writer Members of the executive and public office bearers will not be receiving new cars for the next five years and their monthly fuel consumption will now be capped, on the orders of President Hage Geingob, the Presidency announced on Thursday. The decision according to the Presidency is expected to save government over N$200 million. “As part of deepening Effective Governance, the Government reform agenda and reducing expenditure, President Geingob has directed that the vehicle fleet of the Namibian Government will not be renewed for the period 2020-2025. No new vehicles…

14 May

PDM members back down from Parly challenge

Observer MoneyPopular Democratic Movement (PDM)

….as two continue with court case Staff Writer It has emerged that the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) has smoked the peace pipe with two of its disgruntled members who had contested the party’s decision to exclude them from its National Assembly list. Information gathered by the Windhoek Observer has revealed that Yvette Araes and Maximilliant Katjimune resolved to tow the party line with regards to its decision which saw 16 other members making it to parliament after a good performance by the opposition party in last year’s elections. The two are reported to have met the party leadership over their…

14 May

High Court postpones Namandje’s case

Observer MoneySisa Namandje

Andrew Kathindi Judge Herman Oosthuizen on Wednesday postponed the case brought by the Law Society of Namibia (LSN) where it wants access to Sisa Namandje’s firm’s books to Thursday. Namandje was represented by Advocate Raymond Heathcote while Uno Katjipuka-Sibolile represented the Law Society of Namibia. “I will definitely not give a ruling tomorrow. The legality of the issue will take time,” said Judge Oosthuizen. Uno Katjipuka-Sibolile argued that the Law Society must regulate lawyers in the public’s interest and that the only way that the Law Society could determine if Namandje's trust account could have been used to launder money…

14 May

Only 800 qualify for quotas

Observer MoneyMinistry of Fisheries, quotas

Staff Writer Only 800 out of more than 5,000 applications received by the Ministry of Fisheries meet the set requirements to be considered for allocation of fishing quotas, the Windhoek Observer can reveal. As part of their application, applicants were to be judged on a scorecard system to determine their contribution to the socio-economic development of Namibia and its people, including a broad participation at shareholder level to include youth, women, people with disabilities, and persons from economically disadvantaged regions, liberation war veterans and worker trusts, among other requirements. The revelations come as the University of Namibia which had been…

13 May

CRAN licensing brews a storm

Observer MoneyCity of Windhoek, CRAN, MTC, Paratus, Paratus Telecommunications, Tim Ekandjo

. . . as telcos object to CoW licence Staff Writer The awarding of telecoms licence to the City of Windhoek (CoW) by the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) is brewing up a storm in the telecoms sector, with players accusing the regulator of violating its own rules in the awarding process. This comes as the CoW licence was upgraded by CRAN from the initial application of a Network Facilities Service License, allowing it to lease its fiber optics to other licensed operators to a Class Comprehensive Telecommunications Service License, allowing the municipality to offer integrated telecommunications services, directly…

13 May

Haufiku in appointment limbo

Observer MoneyBernard Haufiku, Covid-19, Ministry of Health and Social Services

Andrew Kathindi The National Coordinator for the response to COVID-19, Dr Bernard Haufiku, has still not received his appointment letter, nearly two months after his assignment to the position. Haufiku, who is the former Minister of Health, was appointed prior to Stage 1 of the national lockdown as the National Coordinator for the Covid-19 task force and emerged as the face of the response team, giving frequent updates on national statistics with regard to COVID-19. However, it is believed that Haufiku’s candid approach to how government handles the response including admitting the slow testing pace, has increased his credibility among…

12 May

Geingob drawn into CoW fight

Observer MoneyACC Director General, Paulus Noa

...as ACC declines to investigate appointment Staff Writer President Hage Geingob again has been entangled in the fight between the City of Windhoek (CoW) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Robert Kahimise and the city council over its decision to reappoint City Police Chief Abraham Kanime on a three year contract. This comes after the CoW Chief Executive Officer wrote to the President on Friday asking for his intervention after the Swapo led council pushed through the appointment of Kanime despite a contradicting legal opinion and objection from Kahimise, who is the municipality’s chief accounting officer. When contacted for comment, Kahimise was…