Page 641 – Windhoek Observer

15 May

Commemorative banknote to start circulating

ObserverUncategorisedBank of Namibia, Independence Day, Kazembire Zemburuka

Staff Writer The N$30 commemorative banknote launched on Independence Day by the Bank of Namibia shall be available to the public as from Friday, 15 May 2020, the apex bank has announced. “ The public is also hereby informed that the N$30 commemorative banknote will only be issued at the tills, inside all commercial bank’s branches and not at the Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs),” BoN Deputy Director: Corporate Communications, Kazembire Zemburuka said. “To obtain the N$30 commemorative banknote from commercial banks, one will have to exchange an equivalent amount of the current family of banknotes or coins, for the banknote.”…

14 May

SSC payouts expected next week

ObserverObserver MoneyCovid-19, Milka Mungunda, Social Security Commission (SSC)

Andrew Kathindi The Social Security Commission (SSC) expects to start making payouts of N$1,000 under its stimulus package to employees from sectors hard-hit by the impact of COVID-19 starting next week. The payouts which will total N$3,000 will be spread over a three month period to sectors such as construction, farming, transport, manufacturing, retail, domestic workers and entertainment among others. SSC Executive Officer, Milka Mungunda told the Windhoek Observer although the commission was still accepting applications from employers of employees affected, it was targeting a rollout date of next week. “We hope by next week because we are still busy…

14 May

Geingob cancels new state cars

ObserverObserver 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

The selfish rich and middle classes

ObserverNational Newsmiddle classes, rich

Those who eat regularly, have some income, and a safe, warm place to sleep need to stop shouting so loud. Your noise is drowning out the screams from those who have nothing. These are challenging times and all of us must come down a notch or two. The selfish rich and middle classes, need a wake-up call. Someone who never has bread does not worry about not having bread. But, the person used to eating bread everyday feels bereft they miss bread for only one day out of seven. We must be careful about shifting limited resources to appease the…

14 May

PDM members back down from Parly challenge

ObserverObserver 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

ObserverObserver 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

ObserverObserver 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

ObserverObserver 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

ObserverObserver 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…

13 May

The COVID-19 #newnormal won’t be business as usual

ObserverUncategorisedCovid-19, Namibia, school

Jan Coetzee Namibia, went into lockdown several weeks ago, our Government’s firm and swift response has so far kept the number of infections very low. Thankfully no deaths have been recorded either and Namibia may come out of this quite well. Certainly not discounting the damage to the economy or the closure of the schools and social activities that these necessary steps have caused. Eventually the economy will recover, kids will go back to school, but COVID-19 has left an indelible mark on our society and how we life, work and play. How we work is what I would like…