Page 1268 – Windhoek Observer

18 Sep

Is there a way out?

UncategorisedObservatory, Thandizo Kawerama

Observatory: Thandizo Kawerama What do you do when the world you once knew changes overnight? When the avenues that led to your life aspirations shut down right before your very eyes? The natural response is to grieve. You want to mourn the loss of what was familiar and what we held dear. Perhaps it was a job you lost or an opportunity that has been postponed indefinitely (a tale very familiar during these times.) Losing what you had or what you aspired to obtain can be crippling, and unfortunately has a ripple effect. It leads to loss of income, mental…

18 Sep

Look at yourself first and improve

UncategorisedJackie Wilson Asheeke

Jackie Wilson Asheeke Far too many people refuse to check themselves as the main reason their employment expectations are not being met. In the new normal with many qualified people competing for the same jobs, employees will keep jobs on the basis of performance. The poor work ethic in this country will be challenged. Employees will be forced to look inside for solutions instead of whining about the external barriers. Those who feel aggrieved on their jobs often blame tribalism, nepotism, corruption or personality clashes for their situation. They blame the government, a particular business or their supervisors. They even…

18 Sep

Let the marathon trial begin

UncategorisedDr Rukee Tjingaete

Dr Rukee Tjingaete The stage is almost set for the marathon Fish-rot trial to start. In the blue corner is the A-Team Defense Council consisting of highly competent lawyers with reputable credential of practice in court that will represent the accused. In the red corner is the state prosecuting team that have developed reputation for losing high profile corruption cases, representing the state control agencies that are in this case the Anti-Corruption Commission, Office of the Prosecutor General and NAMPOL. While the strength of the defense team could be judged from the qualifications and age of experience of the lawyers…

18 Sep

The Creative Industries

UncategorisedCovid-19, Creative Industries, The Time Traveler

The Time Traveler: Hugh Ellis From the spoken word movement’s start in Namibia until the recent Covid-19 outbreak, I routinely attended and performed at poetry nights in Windhoek. While not all the poetry was excellent, and a small amount was frankly terrible, some of it bowled me over with its lyrical genius. The movement also provided a start, or at least a boost, to many now-famous names in the music industry, including Lize Ehlers, and Mark Mushiva of Black Vulcanite fame. Last year I was privileged to be a judge at the Namibia Theatre and Film Awards. While some of…

18 Sep

Capricorn Group records N$1 billion profit …as Covid-19 drives up total non-performing loans to N$1.9 billion

Uncategorised

Staff Writer Namibian Stock Exchange listed Capricorn Group Limited released its annual financial results for the period ending 30 June 2020, where the Group’s profit after tax from continuing operations, excluding our Zambian banking operation, amounts to N$1,01 billion, which is 2.2 percent lower than the prior year. “Capricorn Group started the 2020 financial year with confidence and delivered positive half year results, despite continuing difficult economic conditions in Namibia and Zambia. Capricorn Group’s operating profits were significantly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic during the last quarter of the financial year, with full-year profit after tax contracting by 15.6 percent…

18 Sep

Shivute officially appointed NamRa boss

Observer MoneyNamibia Revenue Agency (NamRA), president Hage Geingob, Sam Shivute

Staff Writer Sam Shivute has officially been appointed as the inaugural Commissioner of the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) with effect from the 28th of September after cabinet chaired by President Hage Geingob approved his appointment. The development has resulted in Shivute resigning from the Bank of Namibia, where has held various positions since he joined in 2003 and with a farewell event was held in his honor on Wednesday. As head of NamRa, Shivute reports directly to Finance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi and the NamRA board of directors. Shuvute and Shiimi are former collogues at the central bank where the Finance…

18 Sep

Fishcor resolves to change ‘tainted’ name

Observer MoneyFishcor

Andrew Kathindi The newly appointed Fishcor Board has resolved to change the company’s name as it continues to be used at the forefront of the Fishrot scandal. Fishcor was allegedly used to illegally funnel millions out of the fishing industry. These actions were done by its accused former board chairman and CEO, James Hatuikulipi and Mike Nghipunya in a web that is believed to be wide-reaching. Hatuikulipi, Nghipunya along with several others known as the Fishrot seven, including former Fisheries Minister Bernard Esau and former Justice Minister, Sackey Shanghala, are currently in prison while awaiting trial on various related charges.…

18 Sep

Finance ministry struggles with ITAS registration

Observer MoneyMinistry of Finance

Helena Johannes The Ministry of Finance has only managed to register 24 percent out of its 90 percent target of registered tax payers for its Integrated Tax Administrative System (ITAS), Windhoek Observer can reveal. According to the Ministry only 98,959 out of 369,509 taxpayers have registered through ITAS. Demographically the registrations are: Windhoek (27 percent), Walvis Bay 23,490 out of 103,998 (23 percent), Oshakati 17,199 out of 102,524 (17 percent), Otjiwarongo 12,031 out of 55,794 (22 percent), Keetmanshoop 11,319 out of 49,870 (23 percent), Katima Mulilo 4,037 out of 12,971 (31 percent) and Rundu 3,980 out of 28,491 (14 percent).…

18 Sep

Avoid suspicion, be transparent and face the music

National NewsNamibian, Transfrontier Conservation Area

The stories capturing headlines about an ‘oil exploration deal’ involving Recon Africa, a Canadian gas and oil company, are disturbing. The area targeted for drilling is one of the most environmentally sensitive conservation and wildlife areas in the country. More must be revealed about this story; there are many unanswered questions. Decision-makers seem to be caught up yet again in their unattainable obsession for secrecy. When will they learn to face the public with their plans and tackle issues directly? Namibia is reeling from COVID-19 and financial hardship. Fishrot and other corruption scandals have made the public distrust politicians and…

18 Sep

Corruption and mathematical witchcraft

Uncategorisedcorruption, Dr Rukee Tjingaete, witchcraft

Dr Rukee Tjingaete You don’t need to consult Figaro the earth while mathematical genius to ask why 32,000 laptops would cost N$180 million at an average laptop market-related price of N$6 500 per laptop. (I have surveyed the market). He would mock at you in his grave. The true estimate price would be in the range of N$208million or more. In Namibia, they normally fool you by giving you a low estimate cost price at first to convince you that such project is financially viable. But once approved they slowly start to inflate figures with new calculations which in this…