Page 964 – News Stand

31 May

Praise the Lord and pass the masks

info_e12wt4csNational NewsChurch

We are aware of the continuing debate about restricting churches during the pandemic. This is not an easy debate, but it is a necessary one. People need hope, faith and courage in these difficult times. Will their churches rise to the challenge to serve? The government has not only the right, but the obligation to protect the people in national health emergencies like this one. At the same time, the constitution declares that church and state must be separate. High Courts in different countries are being asked to apply their minds and decide if government has the right to block…

31 May

ANIREP makes acquisitions

info_e12wt4csUncategorisedAlpha Namibia Industries Renewable Power Limited (ANIREP), Namibia Stock Exchange

Staff Writer Namibia Stock Exchange listed Alpha Namibia Industries Renewable Power Limited (ANIREP) has announced that it’s in the process of acquiring stakes in two renewable energy projects in Namibia. The company has targeted a 70 percent stake in a 10 MW solar power plant commissioned in 2015 and 2016 connected to the national grid through two 5MW solar PV with a 25 year power purchase agreement contract. The company’s second planned acquisition is an 80 percent stake in a contracting company which has installed about 100 MW of the 150 MW solar PV in Namibia. “In February 2020, shareholders…

31 May

MTC voted Most Admired Brand in Namibia

info_e12wt4csUncategorisedBrand Africa, Most Admired Brand in Namibia, Mshasho, MTC, Namibia Breweries Limited

Staff Writer MTC has been voted the Most Admired Brand in Namibia in a survey to determine which companies are held in high regard by the public. The announcement, which included Namibia for the first time, was made by Brand Africa. MTC leads the local listing that included Mshasho at #2 and Top Score at #3. Namibia Breweries Limited was recognised as the most admired brand listed on the Namibian Stock Exchange. Mshasho was recognized as the #1 African brand in Namibia ahead of South Africa’s MTN and DSTV, with local stalwart brands Windhoek Lager and MTC rounding off the…

31 May

PAY lends helping hand during Covid-19 crises

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyCovid-19, FirstRand Namibia Foundation CSI, Physically Active Youth (PAY)

Staff Writer Physically Active Youth (PAY) has reach a total of 353 people in 55 households with food and toiletry packages as part of their outreach program carried out during the Covid-19 lockdown. “The support and resources to power this project are drawn from both corporate and individual support as well as local and international support. We are grateful for the support we received towards our community outreach programme that has ensured the continued engagement and reach of our beneficiaries and their families,” Thuba from PAY said. Revonia Kahivere, FirstRand Namibia Foundation CSI Manager expressed her gratitude that PAY has…

29 May

A budget of hopes and wishes

info_e12wt4csNational Newsfinance minister Ipumbu Shiimi, State of Emergency

At the end of the day, a budget is only words on paper. One cannot spend a budget. Government has once again laid out what it wishes to spend in a fiscal year vs what it hopes will be income in that same year. In saying this, we do not in any way denigrate the hard work of Finance Minister Ipumbu Shiimi’s team. That man should be nominated for the war medal given to soldiers who take wounds in service of their country. He stood calmly before the august house and laid out the largest deficit budget a free Namibia…

29 May

GIPF adequately funded for any eventualities

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyFinance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi, Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF)

Staff Writer The Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) says it’s in a position to pay all pension benefits due to its members in the public service in the event government considers retrenchment as a means to save on its ballooning wage bill. This comes as Finance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi in his maiden budget statement on Wednesday raised concern about the unsustainable government wage bill in light of declining revenues. “In the event that government decides to retrench members of the public service we are in a position to honour any accumulated liabilities due to members. The Fund has adequate assets…

29 May

Shangula confirms Haufiku’s role

info_e12wt4csObserver MoneyCovid-19, Dr Bernard Haufiku, Health Minister Kalumbi Shangula

Andrew Kathindi Dr Bernard Haufiku, former Minister of Health in the first Geingob Administration has had his appointment as the National Coordinator for the response to COVID-19 confirmed after current Health Minister Kalumbi Shangula stated that Haufiku was a part of the team making decisions about the country’s response. Earlier this month, Windhoek Observer reported that Haufiku, without a written letter of appointment, was in limbo over his appointment following his decreased visibility at press conferences regarding COVID-19 updates. On the matter of Haufiku, Shangula said, “Bernard Haufiku was appointed as a Special Health Advisor by President Hage Geingob. He…

29 May

Govt imposes lockdown on Walvis Bay

info_e12wt4csObserver Moneypresident Hage Geingob, Walvis Bay

...as the country moves to Stage 3 Andrew Kathindi Visitors and residents of Walvis Bay are now stuck in the coastal town for the next seven days after government in a surprise move placed the coastal town under Stage 1 of the lockdown effective Thursday. The developments follows a 63-year-old Walvis Bay fisherman and a 47-year-old male truck driver becoming recent national COVID-19 cases and means only essential workers with permits will be allowed to leave the town during the imposed lockdown. Minister of Health and Social Services, Kalumbi Shangula said that implemented measures were aimed at preventing the further…

28 May

Bank Windhoek donates 500 Reagent Testing Kits

info_e12wt4csUncategorisedBank Windhoek, Covid-19

Staff writer Bank Windhoek has donated 500 Reagent Testing Kits and Nasopharyngeal Swab Collection Kits to the Namibian Government in support of its fight against COVID-19. The Bank’s Executive Officer of Marketing and Corporate Communication Services, Jacquiline Pack, handed over the donation to the Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Kalumbi Shalunga, at the Namibia Institute of Pathology’s (NIP) head office in Windhoek. Through the Analytical Technology and Chemical Supply, the Bank, in collaboration with NIP, was able to procure the material despite logistical challenges posed by the pandemic. “Since COVID-19 reached our borders, we realised that there was…

28 May

Jealousy clouds the point

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNamibians

We have regularly commented on the current flawed process of Members of Parliament (MPs) disclosing a part of their assets to the public. The point of this disclosure is to identify conflicts of interest in matters before the legislature. A public listing of assets of lawmakers is irrelevant if not used specifically and only for that purpose. The point is to stop decision-makers, like the accused Esau or Shanghala, from voting on laws with outcomes that pad their pockets. We must keep our eyes on the prize and stop getting lost in how many cars or houses are owned by…