Africa’s insurance industry is poised for further growth

September 4, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Africa’s insurance industry is poised for further growth PwC insurance survey reveals Africa’s insurance industry is facing more disruption than any other industry, posing challenges for some while opening up business opportunities for others. The insurance industry across Africa continues to be one of the most disrupted - Victor Muguto, Long-term Insurance Leader for PwC Africa The opportunities for growth in Africa’s insurance industry are huge despite recent economic and political uncertainty. The insurance industry has done well to adapt to continuous disruption, with technological advances now considered the most important global trend disrupting the industry. Despite the additional pressures of unrelenting regulatory and insurance accounting changes, and the huge costs associated with the changes, there are also some positive developments and opportunities for growth.

These are some of the key highlights from a report issued by PwC (www.PwC.com) today on Africa’s insurance industry. PwC’s report – ‘Ready and Willing: African insurance industry poised for growth’ – comes at a time when economies on the African continent are starting to show signs of real growth on the back of recovering global commodity prices.

Victor Muguto, Long-term Insurance Leader for PwC Africa says: “The insurance industry across Africa continues to be one of the most disrupted, but at the same time the industry continues to innovate and adapt to take advantage of the many opportunities for growth that are also emerging.

“In the years following the global financial crisis, economic and political uncertainty across the continent slowed down economic and insurance sector growth. Despite this, Africa’s insurance market remains one of the least penetrated in the world and the opportunities for growth are tremendous.”

Top trends driving change in Africa’s insurance markets

Africa’s insurance industry is facing more disruption than any other industry, posing challenges for some while opening up business opportunities for others. The pace of change in the insurance industry has taken place more rapidly than originally anticipated and will accelerate further.

“Leading insurers are already implementing key strategies to focus on new customer behaviours and demographic shifts. The need to be agile in the face of a rapidly changing technological environment has never been more vital,” says Pieter Crafford, Financial Services Advisory Leader for PwC South Africa.

THEMES

The survey identifies four main themes that are transforming the African insurance industry:

Technology and data ‘revolution’: Technology and data are now considered the most important global trend disrupting the industry, but they are also increasingly being used by the industry to accelerate growth. Across all of Africa, the increased use of technology, on the back of the exponential growth of mobile phones, has significantly contributed to the large amount of new customers and more tailored products. Technology presents insurers with powerful tools to better understand customer needs and expectations through data mining capabilities and artificial intelligence (AI).

However, it is expensive and not always easy for insurers to “go it alone”. Consequently, some insurers have formed partnerships with technology companies to improve operational efficiency and respond quickly to changing customer expectations. Technology, specifically mobile phones, social media, and data analytics are seen as the top enablers to increase access to new customers, at reduced cost and to analyse behavioural data, in order to design new, more appropriate products.

Regulatory and accounting changes: Behind technology, insurers also identified stringent risk based prudential capital and market conduct regulations as the second most disruptive issue. By now, most insurers are used to regulations and this has become “business as usual”. Insurers across the African continent have embraced the regulatory changes, and are ready and willing to comply with new legislation and regulations. But, while most insurers have adopted new ways of compliance, the introduction of IFRS 17 is also expected to add new pressure.

It is also positive to note that that the intensity of regulatory concerns is reducing among insurers. Fewer survey respondents (2017:61%) had concerns about the burden of regulation dampening risk appetite and stifling growth compared to 90% of respondents in 2014. Although the unrelenting regulatory changes come with increased costs and implementation challenges, they also present hidden opportunities for insurers to better manage risk, and allocate capital more appropriately. Some of the new regulations are expected to prompt insurers to redesign simpler and more appropriate products for customers. For example, the less onerous regulatory capital and conduct regulations being introduced by the pending Microinsurance framework in South Africa offer alternatives to reduce the costs of insurance at the lower end of the market

Convergence, the new “Scramble” for Africa’s customers: Changing demographics and social changes, in particular the rise of a middle class, are driving insurers, bankers, and non-traditional players such as retailers and mobile operators to compete for the power of owning customers and customer information. We have started to see a convergence of insurers and bankers around customers. While most of the major banks have had insurance operations for years, there has been a renewed interest by other banks to also start insurance operations. Likewise, some insurers are setting up separate banking operations, and mobile phone operations and retailers are pushing in. All of this is with the aim of owning more customers and cross selling various products to them.

In addition, insurers are also adopting multichannel distribution strategies and taking more direct ownership of their customer data and relationships. They are designing simpler products leaning towards technology based direct mobile and online channels of distribution. While the more complex products will still require intermediation, the use of brokers may gradually reduce as insurers invest in their own in-house channels.

Talent shortages – workforce of the future: Insurers also highlighted talent shortages as a top issue in our survey. This is notable in the areas of technology and actuarial skills. In order to attract and retain talent, insurers need to invest more in training their “workforce of the future”. Alongside this, employee expectations are changing. Employees of the future expect better work-life balance. The majority of insurers surveyed are already prepared for change, with 83% of survey respondents indicating that they either had prepared or were moderately prepared to establish a more flexible working culture to support employee work-life balance.

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The elephant in the room

September 4, 2018, 3:00 pm

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The elephant in the room So-called cadre deployment - the idea that political affiliation rather than merit should be used when appointing senior government staff, including those that run parastatals, as well as their boards, continues to wreak havoc in our society.

As has been articulated by many who feel this unspoken policy is at odds with our constitutional dispensation, cadre deployment essentially puts the party before the state.

This has dangerous implications, given that party economic cabals are then inevitably positioned to reap from state coffers.

This, again, is at odds with proper resource management in the public administration and state-owned entities.

The state deployment of cadres loyal to ruling parties that were former liberation movements has given birth to what is commonly referred to now as state capture.

This has led to the capture of public institutions, such as the civil service and state-owned enterprises, by political parties. Feeding troughs are then inevitable, as these appointees are not loyal to the constitution, but to economic feeders in party factions.

Conflicts of interest are automatically generated when you owe your post to a ruling party and not to merit.

A loyal, deployed cadre performs at the behest of party interest, at the expense of the public.

State coffers inevitably become avenues for tenderpreneurs aligned to ruling party groupings, and as one faction in a party replaces another as dominant, the faces of those who feed on state money changes over time.

This results in collusion to dish out tenders, as well as their inflation over time, and the phenomenon of only an elite benefiting from taxpayer money, fostering greed and underdevelopment in key areas.

Cadre deployment is thus the elephant in the room and the current economic crisis, caused by massive spending on projects from which political cabals benefited, is the unspoken reason for the suffering of the poor.

Zintle brings sub-zero temperatures

September 4, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Zintle brings sub-zero temperatures Namibians should brace themselves for icy days ahead, with an intense cold front, dubbed Zintle, set to reach the country by tomorrow, which will bring sub-zero minimum temperatures to the southern and central areas.

The Namibian Metrological Services has predicted cold and rainy weather in the south tomorrow, where maximum temperatures are not expected to exceed 15°C.

Cold temperatures are also predicted for the central areas, where day temperatures on Thursday are not expected to be above 21°C.

While cold conditions will persist until Saturday, temperatures are expected to rise on Sunday.





Meanwhile, warm conditions are expected throughout the rest of country and in the north it will be hot.

According to Weather.com, Keetmanshoop will experience a -2 °C minimum tomorrow, with a maximum of 13 °C.

On Friday the maximum will be 14°C in the southern town, with a minimum of -1°C, while on Saturday a maximum of 18°C is expected.

At Karasburg, a 2°C minimum is expected tomorrow and a maximum temperature of 12°C.

The Friday maximum will be 13°C, while the 2°C minimum will remain.

At Mariental, the night temperature will drop to zero on Thursday, while the maximum will be 19°C.

At Grunau, a -3°C minimum is expected, with a maximum of 11°C.

In the central areas, Windhoek will experience a -3°C minimum temperature on Thursday, with a maximum of 19°C.

On Friday, the capital will experience a -1°C minimum, while a maximum of 22°C is expected. On Saturday, the night time temperature will increase to 1°C, while the maximum will remain at 22°C.

At Rundu it will be hot, with temperatures of between 16 and 35°C on Thursday and At Katima Mulilo it will be between 21 and 36°C.

The plunging Namibian temperatures come after the sixth intense anticyclone of the winter pushed another major cold front into South Africa this week.

It is predicted the full force of the front will be felt tomorrow in the highlands of the central Cape and the southern Drakensberg, where maximum temperatures will scarcely reach 4°C.

ELLANIE SMIT

Serviced land, not houses

September 4, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Serviced land, not housesExperts weigh in on urban housing solutions If Windhoek's roughly 42 000 families living in shacks were given serviced land with a title deed and each house was charged just N$150 per month, as a reduced rates levy, the City could pocket N$75 million per year. Instead of constructing 400 low-cost houses at a cost of N$66 million with grants and non-interest loans pledged by the Chinese government recently, experts calculate that investing those funds in minimally serviced land could result in more than 4 400 impoverished families currently living in shacks being able to build formal homes of their own.

Moreover, allowing low-income families to obtain legal ownership of land and permitting them to build their homes as funds become available, would ensure they accrue the benefits of home ownership and allow local authorities to pockets millions in rates and taxes, amended to ensure affordability for impoverished families.

“Using N$66 million to produce 400 houses is silly, unless you are an entrepreneurial housing developer. Four-hundred is a minute drop in the ocean, given that an estimated 150 000 families live in shacks in informal settlements in 2018 and that 11 000 new families move from rural areas into informal settlements each year,” John Mendelsohn of Raison, who has studied the issue of housing extensively, said this week.

He, and co-researcher Beat Weber, who published a book on informal settlements last year, argued that instead, at a cost of N$15 000 to survey and allocate a minimally surveyed erven,

4 400 families can acquire land with title as a means to facilitate their access to housing. “This is ten times more than when building houses,” Weber said.

Mendelsohn stressed that while

4 400 families is “not much of a dent in the great mire of poverty, they are much more than the 400 houses for middle-income families.”



Can be done

Weber, the executive director at Development Workshop Namibia (DWN), noted that cost recovery for municipalities is possible when affordable homes are made available.

“Those residents can actually pay for the 'product' and costs can be recovered.”

He said at an average price of N$15 000 per erf for an estimated 11 000 families from informal settlements, a “mere N$165 million would be used to effectively stop informal settlement growth in Namibia”.





He added that while other investments would be needed to upgrade bulk infrastructure, a “big chunk of the costs to solve unplanned informal settlement growth could be based on a cost recovery approach”.

Weber highlighted the urgency of first addressing the large-scale influx to urban informal settlements, to ensure that growth is halted.

“To get informal settlement growth under control, the 11 000 low-income households moving from rural to urban areas each year must be accommodated.”

Because of the poverty experienced by most of these migrants, they are unlikely to afford houses, including “social ones that may cost N$165 000 as suggested by the Chinese deal”.

He said “given the state of Namibia's economy” subsidisation is not an option, which leaves the alternative of providing affordable and “planned legal land where they can invest and incrementally build their homes”.



Simple solution

The benefits of ownership of land, apart from cost-effectiveness and ensuring that thousands more families could move from shacks into formal housing, are multiple.

Mendelsohn explained that if Windhoek's roughly 42 000 families living in shacks were afforded land with a title deed and each house was charged “just N$150 per month”, as a reduced rates levy, the city could pocket N$75 million per year in revenue.

Moreover, providing access to land for homes “provides one of the very basic conditions for households to build security investments, become an integral part of the formal town and contribute to its economic base and public funds,” Weber and John Mendelsohn wrote in their book on informal settlements last year.



Their study further noted that on a personal level, land ownership for low-income families would “provide them with confidence, services, security and long-term outlooks”.



Both needed

Herbert Jauch, a labour expert, warned this week that government has become slack on the issue of housing in recent years and has placed “little emphasis on finding an overall solution and instead piecemeal projects at local and regional level are being implemented”.

He said the Chinese deal is reflective of this.

“Unfortunately such a fragmented approach will not solve the housing crisis, which has reached enormous proportions”.

He said addressing the fact that shacks have become the “norm in many urban centres and a solution in terms of decent shelter for all would require a very deliberate and forceful state intervention, based on research data and strategic choices”.

He noted, however, that “an either/or option” is not advisable, and that both serviced land, especially in urban settlements and affordable housing should form part of the solution.

JANA-MARI SMITH

Let's get the tape of CC meeting – Diescho

September 4, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Let's get the tape of CC meeting – Diescho Professor Joseph Diescho has challenged the Swapo Party to release a recording of the Central Committee meeting that took place in Rundu on the eve of Heroes' Day, where he was allegedly ridiculed by party president Hage Geingob.

Swapo yesterday called a media briefing where it categorically denied that Diescho had been discussed at the meeting.

Yesterday, for the first since her appointment as party information and mobilisation secretary in March, Hilma Nikanor briefed the media and challenged the allegations by Diescho, saying Geingob was not a tribalist. “We cannot have our leaders ridiculed, insulted for no good reason. It should be categorically clear that our leaders should be respected, they were put there by people,” she said.

“We challenge Diescho, if he believes in facts, to reveal his so-called informants. We further advise Mr Diescho to engage himself with productive matters instead of wasting his valuable time, self-claimed and proclaimed by some as an intellect (sic).”





Diescho, however, said he was reliably informed of what the president had said by CC members, some whom are his relatives. According to him, they told him that Geingob started his attack by citing a recent speech that Diescho had made in a local church.

“I didn't hear it but I was told that the president said I had failed and disappointed him at Nipam [the Namibia Institute of Public Administration and Management] and that is why he removed me.

“But I am grateful for one thing, and that is that if he said so, then he finally admits that it was on his order that I was removed. If I was a fool then he as the president should have shown leadership and corrected me,” he said.

Diescho was dismissed by Nipam in December 2015 for alleged insubordination, breach of his employment contract, competition with the employer and non-compliance with resolutions of the Nipam Governance Council.

According to Diescho it is not the first time the president has taken issue with him, and Geingob reportedly spoke ill about him when he address the armed forces at Grootfontein in 2016.

This was confirmed to Namibian Sun yesterday by former defence minister Nahas Angula, who said he was very worried that the president had used an inappropriate platform.

“Yes, I know that the president spoke to the soldiers about Diescho at Grootfontein. I was worried because when the president, who is their commander in chief, speaks to the armed forces, they will take whatever he says as a command,” Angula said.

In 2008, while Geingob was still the Swapo vice-president, he attacked Diescho at a rally at Outapi and branded him an “intellectual prostitute”. That came after Diescho had questioned Geingob's and the late Theo-Ben Gurirab's standing in Swapo.

JEMIMA BEUKES

Slight rebound in house prices

September 5, 2018, 2:01 am

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Slight rebound in house prices The FNB Namibia Housing Index, released this morning, shows that the average house price in the country in June was 0.8% higher than the same time last year.
The average price tag on a property in June was just over N$1.2 million.
“The continued drop in the economy and the increased cost of living on the back of fuel increases remain a stark reminder that consumer spending remains under pressure, which is consequently depressing domestic property prices,” FNB Namibia analyst Josephat Nambashu says.

RA reappoints Lutombi

September 5, 2018, 4:08 am

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RA reappoints Lutombi
The Roads Authority board has announced the reappointment of CEO Conrad Lutombi for another five years.
RA board chair Brian Katjaerua said in a statement the company has achieved and by far exceeded the organisational targets and objectives under the stewardship of Lutombi.
“The board is confident that Mr Lutombi will continue to carry the RA brand with great responsibility and shrewd leadership and steer the organisation towards realising our mandate which is to manage Namibia’s national road network with a view to achieve a safe and efficient road sector,” he said.
“In conclusion, the board would like to congratulate Mr Lutombi on the renewal of his employment contract as chief executive officer of RA and wish him all the best in his quest to serve the Namibian Nation with the excellence that the Nation has become accustomed to during his first tenure, and integrity.”
Lutombi was appointed as substantive RA CEO in October 2013 after acting in that capacity for about three years.


STAFF REPORTER

Over 5 000 fishing rights applicants

September 5, 2018, 7:45 am

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Over 5 000 fishing rights applicants The fisheries ministry this afternoon said a total of 5 190 fishing rights applications were received by 31 August for the 90 to 120 rights available.
This is a massive growth of interest from previous applications which ranged between 500 to 1 500.
Minister Bernhardt Esau told the media this afternoon the deadline for the fishing rights will not be extended any further. By this afternoon the applications were kept in a safe at the ministry and the envelopes have not yet been opened.
In about two weeks the names of all the applicants for the 2018 fishing rights, broken down by species applied for, will be published in the print media and will also be available for perusal on the ministry’s website. Successful applicants will be announced at the end of the year.

CATHERINE SASMAN

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Capricorn, FirstRand: Big drop in share price

September 5, 2018, 9:46 am

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Capricorn, FirstRand: Big drop in share price The share prices of two of the heavyweights on the Local Index of the Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX) plunged by more than 30c each today.
FirstRand Namibia, previously FNB Namibia Holdings, took a knock of 39c per share and closed 0.9% lower at N$44.50 per share.
Capricorn Investment Group, with Bank Windhoek as its flagship brand, fell by 37c per share. The group closed at N$16.50 a piece, a drop of 2.2% compared to yesterday’s closing price.

Warriors unshaken by Zintle

September 5, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Warriors unshaken by Zintle Brave Warriors coach Ricardo Mannetti insists the cold front, subbed Zintle, which is set to hit Namibia today and will and bring sub-zero minimum temperatures until Saturday, will not affect the team's performance against Zambia.

The cold front is set to massively affect the southern and central areas.

The Brave Warriors are set to clash with Zambia on Saturday afternoon at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in a crucial 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier.

Extreme weather conditions can affect preparations and some players could even fall ill just before the match, but Mannetti says he is confident Zintle will not be much of a factor.

“Well, I do believe football is a winter sport and the boys will run the cold off as soon as the game is underway.

“It is an interesting factor, but I doubt that it will have much of an effect on the players.

“All we have to do now is just make sure the boys are dressed up warmly all the time, to avoid catching a cold before the big match,” Mannetti said.

The Namibian Metrological Services has predicted cold and rainy weather, where maximum temperatures are not expected to exceed 15°C in the south.

Cold temperatures are also predicted for the central areas, where day temperatures today are not expected to be above 21°C.

While the cold conditions will persist until Saturday, including sub-zero minimums, temperatures are expected to rise on Sunday.

“The good thing is that we have also finished up all our preparations and we are good to go.

We will be doing easy sessions today and Friday, before we go into the big match,” Mannetti added.



Jesse Jackson Kauraisa

Samoa breaks Namibian hearts

September 5, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Samoa breaks Namibian heartsIslanders triumph at World Rugby tourney Namibia pushed Samoa all the way at the World Rugby Under-20 Trophy in Romania, but succumbed in the end. Namibia's gallant under-20 rugby team fought till the end yesterday afternoon, but could not stop Samoa from winning their final group clash at the World Rugby Under-20 Trophy in Romania.

The well-organised Samoan team, who had a bit of luck on their side, ­triumphed 41-28.

The Namibian side needed something extraordinary to beat favourites Samoa, who started the match with a bang scoring within two minutes, as they broke Namibia's fragile backline with no difficulty.

In the sixth minute, Namibia responded with a try from a scrum, after driving the fast-paced Samoans back to their line with brute strength.

The Samoans soon attacked again, running through the Namibian defence easily, while snatching a 12-5 lead.

Namibia soon received a penalty in the 20th minute, which was converted successfully by Denzo Bruwer, who seemed to have his kicking boots on.

At that stage the score was 12-8.

In the 26th minute Namibia gave away a penalty for a high tackle, which was converted easily, giving the Samoans a 15-8 lead. In the 33th minute Namibia dug deep and scored and converted a try, which levelled matters 15-15 and then going ahead 18-15 shortly before the break.

In the second half, Namibia came out guns blazing, and scored yet another penalty. The Samoans then once again caught their opponents napping, as they closed the gap to 22-21.

From then on the Samoans settled into the match and came at Namibia with everything they had.

The match ended in the Samoans favour, as they were more organised at the back, and outpaced the Namibians on several occasions.

Namibia won their first two encounters against hosts Romania (55-26) and Hong Kong (85-10).

Namibia will play in the third-place playoff match on Sunday.

Frylinck gets captaincy nod

September 5, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Frylinck gets captaincy nod Jan Frylinck is the new captain of the senior men's national team with immediate effect, Cricket Namibia (CN) announced on Tuesday.

This comes after Stephen Baard, who took over the captaincy from Sarel Burger earlier this year, accepted a playing contract in Auckland, New Zealand and will be away from October this year until the end of March 2019, CN said in a statement.

The cricketing body wished Baard well and will await his return for the ICC 2020 WCT20 qualification tournament next year.

Frylinck was born in Cape Town, South Africa, but is now a Namibian citizen and has represented the country since 2016.

As an all-rounder, he has made many telling contributions, including a score of 158, which was his maiden first-class century, against Scotland in June 2017.

He scored successive centuries against Eastern Province (EP) and Border in January, and recorded bowling figures of 5 for 38 off 38 overs against Easterns in 2017.

During his time as a Namibian player he played under the captaincy of Burger.

“He has, therefore, had the perfect opportunity to learn from an outstanding captain.

“As a left-handed batter and bowler he brings balance to both the batting and bowling attacks and his fielding in the slips has been a consistent feature.

“CN has confidence in Frylinck and wishes him the best with this important milestone in his career,” CN added.

SPORT REPORTER

High-level coaching clinics kick off

September 5, 2018, 3:00 pm

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High-level coaching clinics kick off The 2018 Bank Windhoek and Marathon Sugar training clinics for athletes and coaches will be held in Windhoek today and tomorrow and in Swakopmund on 10 and 11 September.

While athletes and coaches are trained over a two-day period in each town, the coaches' forum, presented by the Namibia National Olympic Committee (NNOC), will be held specifically for coaches, parents and teachers on Saturday at SKW in Windhoek.

International coach, Ans Botha, who mentors 400m world recorder holder, Wayde van Niekerk, will give a special presentation at the forum.

The training clinics, which were presented by the late Quinton Steele Botes, still continue and are made possible with the generous support of sponsors Bank Windhoek, Marathon Sugar and Coca-Cola.

Top South African coaches, Charley Sthormenger and Lynly de Beer will conduct the coaching clinics. “The purpose of the clinics is to empower all coaches countrywide to work with athletes at ground level, transfer their knowledge, discover new talent and develop athletes so that they compete on a national level,” Bank Windhoek said in a media release. The clinics are presented in various regions. In 2016 they were presented in the north, in 2017 in Hardap and this year they will take place in Erongo.

For more information contact Leoni at leonivr123@gmail.com or 081 127 1193.

SPORT REPORTER

'Low-Key' hints at October fight

September 5, 2018, 3:00 pm

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'Low-Key' hints at October fightBreak from training ends on Monday Boxing sensation, Jeremiah 'Low-Key' Nakathila, has hinted he will be climbing into the ring next month. Jeremiah 'Low-Key' Nakathila is hopeful to have at least one more fight before the end of the year.

The boxer took a break after his sensational win in July, when he defended his WBO Africa featherweight title at The Dome in Swakopmund.

“Well I am not so sure when my next fight will be, but I hope it will be in October.

“For now I will just return to the gym in order to start getting ready for another fight.

“It has been great resting for a while and I am now itching for another fight,” Nakathila said.

The boxer made his professional debut in 2013 and has gone on to win 16 fights. He has lost only once in his professional career.

The 27-year-old has been winning many of his bouts in style.

“I am happy that I managed to take a rest, because I have used up so much energy to get ready for fights. I am, however, confident in my coaching team, and I will be able to regain full fitness as soon as I hit the gym.”

Nakathila has been tipped as one of the country's big prospects to win a world title in the years to come.

He currently trains under the MTC Nestor 'Sunshine' Boxing and Fitness Academy, which he joined from the Soweto Boxing Club about two years ago.

Nakathila, who is a police sergeant, is admired for his friendly attitude outside the ring and for the ambition he has shown.

“The good thing about me is that I am ready to fight anyone, at any time.”

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa

Diescho a hala okuuva oshikundathanwa shomutumba gwelelo lyaSwapo

September 5, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Diescho a hala okuuva oshikundathanwa shomutumba gwelelo lyaSwapo Omuprofesa Joseph Diescho okwa pula ongudu yoSwapo opo yi holole ekwato lyomawi pethimbo lyomutumba gwelelo lyongundu ndjoka ngoka gwa ningilwa moRundu, mesiku lyohungi yEsiku lyOmapendafule moka ma hokolwa Diescho kuGeingob.

Ongundu yoSwapo oshiwike shika oya pititha omukanda gwiikundanaeki moka ya tindi kutya Diescho okwa popiwa momutumba ngoka.

Oshiwike shika oshikando shotango konima nkene uulikwa nokuninga amushanga gwomauyelele muMaalitsa, Hilma Nikanor okwa kuthile ko iikundneki ta nyana omapopyo ga Diescho, nokupopya kutya Omupresidende Hage Geingob ke na okatongo.

“Otatu pula Diescho, a holole polweela mboka ye mu tseyithile. Otatu pula woo Diescho a longithe ethimbo lye miinima mbyoka tayi tungu pehala lyokumanapo ethimbo miinima kayi na oshilonga.”

Diescho, okwa popi kutya oku na uuyelele a tseyithilwa kombinga yaashoka sha popiwa kuGeingob a lombwele aakuthimbinga momutumba ngoka. Geingob okwa popi nokunyana Diescho omolwa oshipopiwa she shoka a ningi omathimbo ngaka mongeleka yontumba.

“Inandi shi uva ngame mwene ihe onda lombelwa kutya presidende okwa popi kutya onda ndopa na onde mu uvitha nayi koNipam [the Namibia Institute of Public Administration and Management] naashoka osho a kuthilendje miilonga. Onda pandula sho a holola ngaaka, molwaashoka otashi gandja uumbangi kutya oye a kutha ndje miilonga. Ngele ngame ondali elayi andola ye omupresidende okwa pukululandje onga omuleli.”

Diescho okwa kuthwa miilonga moshiputudhilo shaNipam muDesemba gwo 2015 omolwa okuya pondje aniwa oondalaka ye yiilonga.

Diescho okwa popi kutya kashi shi oshikando shotango omupresidende temu hokola, sho e mu hokola woo momvula yo 2016 omanga ta popitha aakwiita moGrootfontein.

Shoka osha koleka koNamibia Sun, kominista nale yegameno Nahas Angula ngoka a popi kutya okwa limbililwa sho omupresidende a longitha ompito ya puka.

“Eeno ondi shishi kutya omupresidene okwa popi kombinga yaDiescho moGrootfontein ta lombwele aakwiita. Onga omukomeho gwaakwiita otaya pulakene nokukutha ko kehe shimwe shoka omukomeho gwawo te ya lombwele,” Angula a popi.

Mo 2008 omanga Geingob a li omupevi presidende natango okwa ponokele nomalaka Diescho poshigongi shongundu yawo shoka ha ningilwa mOutapi.

JEMIMA BEUKES

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Gandjeni ooplota, hamagumbo

September 5, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Gandjeni ooplota, hamagumboOkwa pumbwa okushunithwa pevi ekoko lyomalukanda moondoolopa Andola ngele oofamili dha thika po 42 000 ndhoka hadhi zi moombashu odha li dha pewa ooplota dha longwa nale nuumwene womahala ngoka nokufutithwa oshimaliwa shooN$150 komwedhi miifuta yomagumbo, andola elelo lyoshilando ohali mono oshimaliwa sha thika poomiliyona 75 komvula. Pehala lyokutunga omagumbo gongushu yopevi geli po 400 koshimaliwa shomukuli gwoomiliyona 66 gwaahena iishoshela ngoka ga gandjwa kepangelo lyaChina, aatseyinawa oya popi kutya elongitho lyiimaliwa mbyoka mewapaleko lyooplota otali ka etitha ofamili dha thika po 4 400 ndhoka hadhi zi moombashu ngashiingeyi dhiimonene omagumbo.

Natango okugandja uumwene wehala koofamili ndhoka tadhi tungu omagumbo gadho uuna dha mono iiyemo natango otashi ka gandja ompito koomalelo goondoolopa ga vule okumona iiyemo okuzilila miifuta yomayakulo.

“Okulongitha oomiliyona 66 mokutunga omagumbo geli po 400 kashi li mondjila, shapo ongele wuli mongeshefa onga omutungi gwomagumbo. Shoka kashi na shoka tashi kwatha sho taku tengenekwa kutya oofamili dha thika po 150 000 ohadhi zi moombashu momvula yo 2018 noofamili oompe dhi li po 11 000 ohadhi tembukilee miilando kehe omvula,” John Mendelsohn gwoRaison, ngoka a nongonona onkalo yomagumbo, a popi oshiwike shika.

Ye pamwe nomunongononi omukwawo Beat Weber, oya shanga embo kombinga yomalukanda omvula ya piti na oya popi kutya koshimaliwa shooN$15 000 pakuwapaleka ooplota nokudhi tenda, oofamili dhi li po 4 400 otadhi mono ooplota mwakatelwa uumwene womahala dho dhi vule okutunga omagumbo gawo.

“Shoka otashi gandja uuwanawa lwiikando yi li po 10 okuyeleka nokutunga omagumbo.”

Mendelsohn okwa tsu omuthindo kutya oofamili dhili po 4 400 tadhi kuthwa moluhepo nompumbwe yomagumbo, oshihwepo okuyeleka nomagumbo ge li po 400 ngoka taga tungilwa oofamili ndhoka hadhi mono iiyemo yi li pokati.

Weber, omukomeho gwoDevelopment Workshop Namibia (DWN), okwa popi kutya iimaliwa tayi longitha komalelo mokuwapaleka ooplota ndhoka, otayi vulu okushunithilwa omalelo ngoka okupitila miifuta yomayakulo niishoshela yomagumbo.

Okwa popi kutya kondando yooN$15 000 moplota kehe koofamili dhi li po 11 000, otaku longithwa oshimaliwa tashi tengenekelwa poomiliyona 165 na otashi ka kwathela mokuya moshipala ekoko lyomalukanda.

Weber okwa tsu omuthindo kombinga yokukeelela ekoko lyomalukanda moshilongo sho kwa dhidhilikwa kutya oofamili dhi li po 11 000 ohadhi tembukile moondoolopa nokukakala momalukanda kehe omvula.

Omolwa oluhepo itaya vulu okwiilikoleka omagumbo mwakwatelwa naangoka taga landwa kongushu yooN$165 000 ngaashi kwa gandjwa omayele metsokumwe lyaChina.

Ekandulepo lyomukundu

Uuwanawa wuumwene wevi, kakele kelongitho lyiimaliwa yi li pevi okukwashilipaleka kutya oofamili omayovi odha tembuka mo moombashu nokumona omagumbo gomakuma.

Mendelsohn okwa yelika kutya ngele Ovenduka otayi tengenekwa yi na oofamili dhili moombashu dhi li po 42 000, ngele odha pewa ooplota oshowo uumwene womavi negumbo kehe tali futithwa iishoshela yomayakulo yi li po N$150 nena elelo lyoshilando otali vulu okulikola iiyemo yoomiliyona 75 komvula.

Aatseyinawa mboka oya popi kutya pakugandja ompito ndhoka kaakwashigwana otashi ka etitha omukumo negameno mokati kawo oshowo omayakulo.

Herbert Jauch, omutseyinawa miikumungu yaaniilonga okwa kunkilile oshiwike shika kutya epangelo inali itulamo we unene kombinga yoshikumungu shegandjo lyomagumbo koshigwana na okwa pula ekandulepo lyomukundu ngoka pakantu yoshilongo.

Okwa popi kutya shoka otashi ulikwa ketsokumwe ndyoka lya shainwa naChina, ndyoka a popi kutya itali ka kala ekandulepo lyomukundu ngoka.

Okwa gwedha po kutya omukalo adhihe tashi longithwa mokukandula po ompumbwe yomagumbo odha pumbiwa, kutya okugandja evi nenge okugandja omagumbo ga tungwa nale.

JANA-MARI SMITH

Cheda ta ka pewa oplota yilwe

September 5, 2018, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: Tucson and Creta receive a facelift

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Cheda ta ka pewa oplota yilwe Elelo lyondoolopa yaShakati oshiwike sha piti olya tokola kombinga yoshikumungu shegandjo lyevi lyegumbo komupanguli mOmpangu yoPombanda yaShakati, ngoka e li omukwashigwana gwaZimbambwe Maphios Cheda.

Cheda otaka pewa evi nonando oshigwana osha li sha holola omanyenyeto kutya AaNamibia naya talike tango.

Cheda okwa li nale a pewa oplota yonomola 4035 mOshakati's Extension 16 ndjoka ya li ya kuthwa omukwashigwana gwaNamibia, Patrick Shilongo.

Nonando ongaaka etokolo lyelelo okukutha Shilongo oplota opo yi gandjwepo kuCheda inali tambulwako kAaNamibia shoka sha etitha ehololo lyomadhilaadhilo momasiku 26 gApilili, ndyoka lya kwatelwa komeho koAffirmative Reposition (AR).

AR okwa pataneke egandjo kuCheda lyoplota ndjoka, ta popi kutya oya li nale ya pewa omukwashigwana gwaNAmibia mo 2015, ihe ngashiingeyi okwe yi kuthwa opo yi pewe omuzaizai, omanga pe na AaNamibia mboka ye li mompumbwe yevi.

Ondoolopa yaShakati oyi na ompumbwe yomagumbo ge li poo7 000.

Oshifokundaneki shoNamibian Sun osha pewa uuyelele kwaamboka ya kutha ombinga momutumba gwelelo lyondoolopa oshiwike sha piti mEtitatu kutya osha tokola kutya Shilongo naCheda ayehe otaya ka pewa ooplota dha yooloka na kayi shi we oplota yonomola 4035.

Sho a ningilwa omapulo, Omunambelewa omukuluntu gwelelo lyondolopa yaShakati, Werner Iita ngoka a kala momutumba ngoka ina vula okuzimina nenge a tinde ngele elelo olya tokola opo li gandje oplota yilwe kuChenda , ta popi kutya pampango ina pitikwa okuholola polweela uuyelele mboka.

KENYA KAMBOWE

Tucson and Creta receive a facelift

September 5, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Tucson and Creta receive a faceliftHot-sellers further honed Hyundai’s hot-ticket SUVs get a fresh new look, new gearboxes and a refreshed line-up. Tertius Annandale, dealer principal of Hyundai Windhoek - “Namibians love SUVs and bakkies, so these two models are important to us as a dealer, not only because they make up 40 percent of our sales of late but because they are outstanding vehicles which have shown themselves capable of being strong contenders in this very competitive segment.” QUICKPIC



Two of Hyundai’s top-selling models – the Tucson and Creta sports utility vehicles (SUVs) – have been launched with fresh new design features, new gearboxes and a few derivative changes for the Tucson range.

Hyundai’s Tucson, which has been a top-contender in its market segment since the launch of the first generation in 2009, has been given a new front and rear appearance with the addition of the Hyundai signature cascading grille, along with a new design headlight, fog lamp, front bumper and skid plate.

The Tucson’s interior is also new, sporting a redesigned dashboard with a floating seven-inch screen for its infotainment system that offers features such as Apple’s CarPlay.

Two new derivatives were introduced in the revised in the Tucson range, and a new seven -speed Dual Clutch Transmission and eight-speed automatic transmission form part of the changes in the Tucson line-up.

Its SUV sibling, the Creta – which has registered more than 8 000 unit sales since its launch in 2017 – also received an exterior makeover that comprises a new Hyundai trademark cascade grille with a chrome bezel; a new front bumper with dual-tone finish and skid plates; new fog lamps and LED daylight running lights; and a new set of roof rails with a lower profile.

The rear profile of the Creta has also been revised with slightly tweaked tail-lamps with LED inserts, repositioned reflectors and a new rear skid plate. As with the Tucson, the Creta sports a new alloy wheel design.

The Tucson’s sporty exterior design is achieved by the cascading grille and the refined new light signature with full LED headlights, which give the car a high-tech image. An uplifted front bumper, refined skid plate complement the Tucson’s exterior appearance.

At the rear, the Tucson was also given a new rear taillight design, with a redesigned bumper and exhaust tailpipe to finish the picture. Its side profile features a new 19” wheel design for the flagship 1.6 TGDI Elite derivative.

“Namibians love SUVs and bakkies, so these two models are important to us as a dealer, not only because they make up 40 percent of our sales of late but because they are outstanding vehicles which have shown themselves capable of being strong contenders in this very competitive segment,” said Tertius Annandale, dealer principal of Hyundai Windhoek.

Interior evolution

Tucson’s completely new upper dashboard features high-quality, soft-touch material with a double stitching line for a more high-quality feeling in the interior. The focal point of the centre console is the floating audio system screen, which has an ergonomic position to allow drivers to stay focused on the road. The infotainment system in the Tucson offers a satellite navigation function when used with one’s Apple cellphone and CarPlay.

Seven Tucson derivatives, 3 engines

The new Tucson range in Southern Africa features seven derivatives, with a choice between three engines – a naturally aspirated two-litre petrol engine; a turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine; and a two-litre turbocharged diesel – and three specification levels. All derivatives all front-wheel driven.

Engines used in the Elite derivatives are the two-litre petrol; the two-litre turbodiesel; and a 130 kW, 265 Nm turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine which is coupled with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Hyundai’s new in-house developed 7DCT transmission is a state-of-the-art gearbox. Compared with an automatic transmission, it enhances fuel consumption, CO2emissions and performance while maintaining its high shifting quality.

Creta keeps same high specification level

Hyundai has kept the same derivative line-up, engine and gearbox choices, and specification configuration for the Creta range.

All three Creta derivatives are sold with the Executive level of standard features, which includes leather seats, leather cladding for the steering wheel, multi-function remote controls for the Bluetooth telephone, sound and radio system, and an eight-inch touch-screen display for the infotainment system.

Convenience features in the Creta include air vents for the rear passengers, a rear armrest with cup holders, cruise control, rear park assist sensors and a camera that displays its images on the screen of the infotainment system.

The Creta’s exceptional ride quality and outstanding road holding are achieved by a McPherson strut front suspension with gas dampers. An increased caster angle delivers a more stable, smoother high-speed travel.

At the rear, revised geometries of the dampers used with the coupled torsion beam axle have delivered an increase lever ratio that generates gentle understeer for better cornering performance.

Safety

Apart from the Blind Spot Detection and Cross Traffic Alert (in the Executive and Elite versions), the Tucson has passive safety features such as dual front and side airbags (driver and passenger) and curtain airbags that offer protection for rear passengers too in all derivatives.

Executive and Elite derivatives of the Tucson are also equipped with vehicle stability management that keeps the car stable on wet, slippery or rough roads, as well as hill-start assist control to prevent roll-back when pulling off against an incline.

Safety features in the Creta include dual front and side airbags for driver and passenger, and curtain airbags for protection of rear passengers as well. The Creta is also equipped with an Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) and Electronic Braking Distribution (EBD).

Company news in brief

September 5, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Company news in brief BHP buys into Ecuador copper project

Global miner BHP has agreed a US$35.2 million deal for a 6.1% stake in SolGoldPLC, giving it a share in the promising Cascabel copper-gold project in Ecuador after missing out in an earlier attempt.

BHP Chief Executive Andrew Mackenzie said the investment would give the miner exposure to a high quality copper exploration project in Ecuador, a "highly prospective" location for the company.

BHP has spent the last several years paying down debt and like many other miners is on the hunt to grow its asset base by finding and developing copper projects. Copper is seen as a growth market due to its use in renewable energy, but major projects are notoriously thin on the ground.

The deal sets the stage for a potential showdown with Australian gold miner Newcrest Mining Ltd, the top shareholder in SolGold, Cascabel's majority owner and operator, with a 14.54% stake.

SolGold rejected an offer by BHP to take a 10% stake in the firm in October 2016, with current chief executive Nick Mather terming the proposed deal by BHP at the time as "very inadequate". – Nampa/Reuters

Amazon tops US$1 tn in stock market value

Amazon became the second big US company to hit US$1 trillion in stock market value on Tuesday in the latest demonstration of the rising clout of American technology heavyweights.

The online retail giant breached the US$1 trillion valuation near 1540 GMT when its share price hit US$2 050.50. The Amazon landmark comes about a month after Apple hit the US$1 trillion level.

Founded in 1994 by Jeff Bezos, who is now the world's richest man, Amazon has grown exponentially from its roots as an online bookseller into a sector-crossing mastodon.

The company's employee count has soared to 575 000 as it has spread out into ever-more sectors of the economy.

Company profits, which long played second fiddle to revenue growth, have shown impressive gains. In the most recent quarter, Amazon reported US$2.5 billion in profits, a 12-fold increase over the year-earlier period. – Nampa/AFP

Nigeria raises heat on MTN with tax bill

Nigeria landed MTN Group with a US$2 billion tax bill on Tuesday, marking the South African mobile phone company's latest skirmish with authorities in its most lucrative market.

Last week Nigeria's central bank ordered MTN's Lagos-based unit to hand over US$8.1 billion that it said was illegally sent abroad, raising questions about doing business in the west African country.

Nigerian politics are seen by some analysts as a factor in the pressure on MTN. President Muhammadu Buhari, who swept to power in 2015 on promises to fight corruption and push through tougher regulation, is seeking re-election in next year's polls.

The latest clashes with MTN come about two years after it agreed to pay more than US$1 billion to settle a dispute over SIM cards in Nigeria, whose finances have been hit by a weak economy and volatile prices of crude oil.

But analysts the size of the demands against MTN risk further undermining Nigeria's efforts to shake off an image as a risky frontier market for investors.

Qatar Airways rethinks Indian plans

Qatar Airways is reviewing plans for its own domestic Indian airline due to "confusing" foreign ownership rules and could work with a partner in India or take a stake in IndiGo instead, its chief executive said on Tuesday.

The state-owned Gulf carrier has long coveted the Indian aviation market, which is the fastest growing in the world, and in 2017 said it would set up a domestic airline, a year after India eased foreign investment rules for the sector.

India now allows 100% ownership of India-based airlines, up from 49%, but only with government approval. Meanwhile, foreign airlines continue to be limited to 49% ownership.

Qatar Airways has been interested in investing in IndiGo for several years, though never bought into the airline.

Bayer profits plunge as Monsanto buyout bites

German chemicals and pharmaceuticals giant Bayer reported higher revenues but lower profits for the second quarter yesterday, in its first financial statement since its mammoth takeover of US-based Monsanto.

Between April and June - including the weeks between finalising the Monsanto purchase on 7 June and the end of that month - the group booked net profits of 799 million euro (US$926 million).

That figure was 34.7% lower than a year before.

But revenues increased, from 8.7 billion to 9.5 billion.

Bayer's US$63-billion buyout of Monsanto - the biggest ever foreign takeover by a German company - aimed at creating an agrichemical giant offering specialised seeds, including for genetically modified crops, compatible pesticides and data services for farmers. – Nampa/AFP

Cheda gets new plot

September 5, 2018, 3:00 pm

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Cheda gets new plot The Oshakati town council has resolved that High Court judge, Zimbabwean national Maphios Cheda, will be allocated a new residential plot in town, despite a public outcry for landless Namibians to be considered first.

Cheda was previously allocated Erf 4035 in Oshakati's Extension 16, which was taken away from Patrick Shilongo.

The decision by the council to take the plot from Shilongo and give it to Cheda led to a 26 April demonstration and petition handover by the Affirmative Reposition (AR) movement.

AR opposed the transaction on the basis that the plot was previously allocated to Shilongo in 2015, and if it was to be taken away from him, it should rather be given to a Namibian in need of a residential erf.

Oshakati has a housing backlog of about 7 000 units.

Namibian Sun was reliably informed by those who attended last Wednesday's council meeting, it was resolved that both Cheda and Shilongo will be allocated new plots and not Erf 4035.

“It was resolved by council that Erf 4035, which was previously allocated to Cheda, will not be given to him because of the objections towards it and also it will not be given back to Shilongo. Council further resolved that different plots will be identified at a later stage and will be allocated to the two,” the source said.

The source expressed disappointment that AR's objections were not considered, in terms of Cheda being a foreigner and that thousands of Namibians remain landless. When contacted for comment, Oshakati council CEO Werner Iita, who attended the meeting, could not confirm or deny whether Cheda will be given another plot, saying he was not permitted to disclose such information just yet.

“In terms of the Act I cannot disclose that,” Iita said.

KENYA KAMBOWE