Page 1043 – News Stand

04 May

Read the fine print before cheering

info_e12wt4csNational NewsCovid-19, Namibia

The statement that the devil is in the details is spot on. As people slog through the criteria, rules, and exceptions attached to the announced COVID-19 financial support plans, all that glitters is not gold. Before giving more applause to the headline-grabbing announcements of N$8.1 billion for this or N$400 million for that or N$700 million for these, people must step back, take a deep breath. Read the fine print. Fact: Namibia was broke before COVID-19 hit and the coffers were dry. This remains the case. The money that is being bandied about is coming from sleight of hand by…

04 May

Informal sector sidelined

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyCity of Windhoek, lockdown, Namibia Informal Sector Organisation

Andrew Kathindi Informal sector traders have accused government and the City of Windhoek of sidelining them when it came to polices regarding their operations during and post-lockdown. According to Namibia Informal Sector Organisation’s Secretary General, Veripi Kandenge, the 7,000-member strong organization was never consulted by government and the city council regarding its members’ concerns and operating conditions. “We have not been consulted about the way forward regarding the opening of markets despite certain informal markets set to reopen by Monday,” he said, “We call on policy-makers to include the informal sector representatives when developing policies concerning them. Our sector provides…

04 May

Founding father donates to COVID-19

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyCovid-19, Founding President Sam Nujoma

Staff Writer Founding President Sam Nujoma handed over a donation of basic necessities and food parcels valued at a total of N$40,500 to the Office of the Prime Minister to be used in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. “Indeed, following the declared state of emergency by the Head of State and the subsequent lockdown of the whole country on account of the COVID-19 pandemic and now the gradual ease on the lockdown, we are aware that our government has established a multi-sectoral national coordination mechanism. The government has asked all stakeholders such as private health sector, the business community…

30 Apr

Lure customers back to the shops

info_e12wt4csNational NewsCovid-19, lockdown

…50 percent of something is better than 100 percent of nothing Business owners lament each day they are unable to open; it means more losses. And, they are correct. But, the crisis is not one-sided. All the businesses in the world could be open, but without customers, what’s the point? Just opening doors is not the end of the nightmare, it is just the beginning. Stores and shops must invest in encouraging timid former consumers to come out and spend money. Lockdown showed many people the things they can live without. Someone used to buying fresh bread every day learned…

29 Apr

Air Namibia to reassess COVID-19 impact

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyAir Namibia, Covid-19

Andrew Kathindi Air Namibia Acting MD Elia Erastus said the airline will review the full impact of COVID-19 on its operations after 36 months even though they’ve managed to fully retain staff and pay salaries during the lockdown. Erastus revealed that Air Namibia has had zero revenue generation in the last month. He was hopeful the relaxation of lockdown regulations would allow the airline to focus on internal flights and generate some revenue. Erastus said the national airline will focus on regional flights to curb competition. He points out that the negative ripple effect of COVID-19 on airline operations is…

29 Apr

China debt relief not on the table-Shiimi

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyChina, Covid-19, Finance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi

Staff Writer Finance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi says government has not considered appealing for debt relief from China, in light of the increased financial burden that the emergence of COVID-19 has had on government coffers. This comes as government has continued to dig deep to fund various grants to assist those that have been hardest-hit by the effect of COVID 19 such as businesses and workers in tourism, construction and other service sectors. “It is not something that we have looked at and we don’t have a government position on that,” the finance minister said. Of the N$93 billion that government…

29 Apr

Prepare for the re-opening of Namibia now

info_e12wt4csNational NewsCovid-19, Fisheries Ministry, Namibia

The time to reset minds, attitudes businesses to a post-COVID-19 reality is now. Fisheries Ministry executive director Moses Maurihungirire allowed Erongo Marine Enterprises to go to sea despite the ban. Allowing one freezer vessel to go out while others remain on lockdown is not the way to re-open the economy. It is a poor start, but a start nonetheless. We can do better. Now that one vessel is out, the sea should be open for the other vessels as quickly as practicable. The last thing needed now is even more hostility on the docks due to the accurate perceptions about…

28 Apr

Maersk Sheerness docks at Walvis Bay

info_e12wt4csUncategorisedNamibian Ports Authority (Namport), Namport

The Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) on Friday received the largest vessel to ever dock in Namibian waters, the 335.41 meters long, 43.16 meters bean and a 7500 TEU capacity Maersk Sheerness. Namport’s Executive for Commercial Immanuel !Hanabeb said, “ the arrival of this vessel is of great significance, not only to the Ports Authority but to the entire country, as this is not only consistent with our values and drive to becoming Africa's Number 1 Port Authority but also places Namibia in a more competitive position as it now can accommodate bigger vessels.” He said the shipping industry has over…

28 Apr

Meatco donates corned beef

info_e12wt4csUncategorisedCovid-19, Meatco

Staff Writer Meatco has donated 25 000 tins of corned beef to be distributed amongst Namibians that have been hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Meatco CEO, Mushokabanji Mwilima the distribution of the corned beef will be left in the hands of the Regional Council who will oversee the distribution of the parcels to those who need them most. “Meatco will remain pragmatic during this time of need, I don’t want to go in too much detail for now. I just want to reiterate our willingness to assist however little; we are assisting our fellow Namibians/human beings with…

28 Apr

The climate of inconsistency

info_e12wt4csUncategorisedCovid-19, Government

The state of emergency remains and the lockdown is not supposed to end until midnight May 4th. But, it is getting harder to tell that this is a time of world and national medical crisis from the increase in public movement on the streets. As usual in Namibia, the climate of inconsistency strikes again. With an infectious disease at stake, one wonders if people believe that stupidity is a contamination suit against germs. Everyone is passionate and burning with enthusiasm when programs begin, but as time passes, urgency is the first casualty. This is not only a Namibian 'thing'. It…