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Nust council members quit

June 18, 2019, 1:31 am
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Nust council members quitNust council members quit Namibian Sun has reliably learnt that two council members of the Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust), including the chair Esi Shimming-Chase, have resigned during the last council meeting held last week.
According to a statement issued by the university late yesterday afternoon Goms Menette is now acting as chairperson.
In recent weeks, Shimming-Chase and the Minister of Higher Education, Dr Kandjii-Murangi exchanged blows over who has the last say on matters relating to governance at the university.
The biggest bone of contention has been the replacement of long serving in vice-chancellor Tjama Tjivikua who stepped down in April this year.
The search for his replacement started in earnest in September last year. Five candidates were shortlisted for the position. They are: University of Namibia academics Frednand Gideon and Erold Naomab (the only Namibians), Nigerian national Abraham Ogwu, Botswana national Otlogetswe Totolo and Turkish national Said Irandoust.
The position was re-advertised in March.
Last month Kandjii-Murangi told the council that the recruitment process must halted pointing out that “it will not be in the best interest of the university if the current council recruit an incoming VC’.
The council’s term ends in August.
Read more on this story in tomorrow’s Namibian Sun.
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Hungry for goals

June 18, 2019, 4:00 pm
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Hungry for goals Hungry for goals Jesse Jackson Kauraisa

Brave Warriors and Dire Dawa City goal-poacher Itamunua Keimuine says he is fired up ahead of Afcon 2019.

Namibia’s 23-man squad and the technical team left Dubai for Egypt yesterday where the tournament starts on Friday.

Keimuine, who has faced a rough few months due to injury, recovered in time and is eager to play a role on the pitch and even on the touchline.

“Right now it is not about who starts the match but we have to support each other throughout this tournament. The most important thing is that we made the 23-man squad and that is enough,” Keimuine said.

“I am, however, eager to play for my nation at the tournament and will definitely grab the opportunity with both hands if I get it. The spirit in the camp is so high and there is so much self-belief from each and every player.”

Namibia have a mountain, after being drawn in Group D against Bafana Bafana, Ivory Coast and Morocco.

This will be the first 24-team Afcon - up from 16 - and will be hosted until 19 July.

The six group winners and six runners-up automatically qualify for the knockout stages and will be joined by the four best third-placed teams.

After the eight second-round fixtures, there will be the quarterfinals, semi-finals, a third-place play-off and the final.

Namibia will kick off their tournament against Morocco on Sunday.

They will play their second match against neighbours South Africa on 28 June before closing off their group encounters with a match against Côte d'Ivoire on 1 July.

Namibia are seeking their first-ever win in the competition after having failed on two occasions - in 1998 and 2008 - to secure a victory.

Group D is nearly a repetition of the 1998 Afcon tournament in Burkina Faso, when Namibia were drawn against Côte d'Ivoire, South African and Angola.

In 1998, Namibia finished at the bottom of the table with only one point from three matches, as Côte d'Ivoire and South Africa topped the group.

In 2008, Namibia also finished at the bottom of their group, which included Ghana, Guinea and Morocco.

Namibia’s only two Afcon points came via draws against Angola (1998) and Guinea (2008).

Cameroon are the defending champions after winning the 2017 final against Egypt 2-1, courtesy of goals from Nikolas Nkoulou and Vincent Aboukabar.

Only Congo (1968), South Africa (1996) and Zambia (2012) have been able to bring the trophy to southern Africa.
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Broke govt snubs youngsters

June 18, 2019, 4:00 pm
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Broke govt snubs youngsters Broke govt snubs youngsters No money for international participation The hopes of school athletes lie in tatters after government announced there is no funding for them to compete internationally. LIMBA MUPETAMI



The sports ministry has once again cut the ambitions of junior athletes at the knees, after announcing there are no funds to implement various international sport programmes planned by the Namibia School Sports Union (NSSU).

A statement released by the sports ministry dated 14 June, stamped by sport executive director Emma Kantema-Gaomas, says the NSSU, the school sport umbrella body, should implement school league systems in circuits, clusters constituencies and regions, which have limited or no transport implications, with immediate effect.

This statement says the ministry will ensure that learners continue to participate in sport activities locally.

“As you are aware, financial constraints have been hampering the implementation of various sport programmes. In recognition of this reality, you are hereby informed that there are no funds available for sporting activities until further notice,” the statement said.

Furthermore, the NSSU has been directed to do away with any trials for the selection of teams.

Additionally, they are also directed to source sponsorship or alternative funding for the Confederation of School Sport Associations of Southern Africa (Cossasa) Games.

The NSSU represents 12 sports codes and provides opportunities for learners to become involved in sport and physical recreational activities at primary and secondary school level, in order for them to realise their full potential.

These activities also keep many pupils off the streets, where they are exposed to alcohol and drug abuse at an early age.

“This announcement will affect sports in the long run. It means that if parents do not chip in talented athletes should sit out competitions.

“Imagine athletes paying N$6 000 to travel and compete in South Africa for instance, this however only covering playing gear and so forth or forking out N$3 700 to take part in the All Ages Tournament currently taking part in South Africa,” NSSU national coordinator Solly Duiker said.

“Not all parents can afford this.”

Duiker emphasised the importance neighbouring Botswana has put on school sport participation.

“If you look at the sport system of Botswana, you will see how they are making an effort in injecting money for athletes. That is why they perform better than us at a senior level.

“When we travelled to the Cossasa Games, we received N$35 000 for transport and S&T for the drivers. This money was not even given to us directly, but was paid to them. We received no money from the government and mind you we had 65 junior athletes in one bus.

“Botswana on the other hand received 2 million pula, that is how serious they are about school sport,” lamented Duiker.

He further said there is already a challenge with physical education at schools, as there are a limited number qualified teachers to execute this task, and continuing to cut financing for junior athletes will further disable their efforts.

“Not only this, but when we manage to take the athletes through to senior competitions they will be a laughing stock because they are not prepared well at junior level. How will they compete then on international level if they are not exposed well?

“I don’t have a problem with junior athletes competing locally, but at the end of the day, there should be a carrot tangling in front of the athletes so that they can have something to look forward to,” Duiker added.
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Nedbank Citi Dash on Sunday

June 18, 2019, 4:00 pm
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Nedbank Citi Dash on SundayNedbank Citi Dash on Sunday The 2019 edition of the Nedbank Citi Dash will take place on Sunday.

It is set to be Namibia's largest participatory sporting event of the year and will once again coincide with International Olympics Day.

The popular race, which takes place along Independence Avenue in Windhoek, has already received an overwhelming response from sports bodies, schools, the private sector as well as the general public. With options of a 5km or 10km run or walk, the Nedbank Citi Dash is the perfect event for a family outing.

Designed to showcase Namibia's running talent, the route will take athletes up and down Independence Avenue, starting at Zoo Park in the city centre and going down to the Simon de Witt Bridge, before returning back to the city centre. The elite 10km race will see top Namibian athletes compete for honours in the male and female open categories. The top three wheelchair and visually impaired athletes will also receive prizes.

The race starts at 07:00 with the cut-off time at 07:50.

This year prizes will also be given to the top school, corporate team and running club.

The City of Windhoek will make essential services available for the event including the City Police, traffic department, fire department and the parks and recreation office.

Entry tickets for the Nedbank Citi Dash are still available at the Events Today website until tomorrow at 18:00.

Registration and number collections will take place on Saturday from 14:00 to 17:00 at Zoo Park.

SPORT REPORTER
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Bronze vs Kumagai

June 18, 2019, 4:00 pm
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Bronze vs KumagaiBronze vs KumagaiWorld Cup reunion for Lyon stars Saki Kumagai and Lucy Bronze will face each other today when Japan and England clash in the Fifa Women's World Cup. They are colleagues at club level in the team that dominates European women's football, but Saki Kumagai and Lucy Bronze will be coming up against one another at a second consecutive World Cup when Japan and England clash today.

In 2015, it was Kumagai's Japan who emerged victorious in the semi-finals in Canada, with a stoppage-time Laura Bassett own goal giving them a 2-1 win over Bronze's England on their way to a 5-2 defeat in the final against the United States.

Prior to that, it was England who triumphed 2-0 in the 2011 group stage in Germany, but on that occasion Japan went on to win the trophy while England went out in the quarterfinals.

That was before Bronze had made her senior international debut and the right-back is confident England are better equipped than ever to go all the way after several near misses in recent years.

“We know we are good enough to beat any team,” Bronze, 27, told AFP in an interview before the tournament.

England's build-up to this World Cup included winning the SheBelieves Cup in the United States in March, with results including a 3-0 victory against Japan.

“We are learning how to win, we are getting used to winning, we want to win and we are hungry for the final, and all these things mean it feels like the perfect time to go into this tournament and change history in England and in women's football,” Bronze said.

The pain of 2015 was felt in a very literal sense by Bronze, who was ill and was taken off in the second half.

“I was throwing up pretty much all day. I think it was food poisoning,” she told British media. “It was very blurry. It wasn't the sickness that stopped me, it was cramps. My body just went into shock.”

Much has changed since that 2015 encounter. Bronze left Manchester City to sign for Lyon in 2017, teaming up with Kumagai to win back-to-back French titles and Champions Leagues.

Both started in the 2018 Champions League final win against Wolfsburg, but Kumagai was only a substitute as Lyon retained their title last month by defeating Barcelona in Budapest.

Lyon has won the last four Champions Leagues and Kumagai has been there for all of them, having signed for the French club in 2013.

At 28, she has already won 106 caps for her country and scored the winning penalty in the 2011 World Cup final.

Centre-back and captain Kumagai is an old head in a young Japanese squad which has been fashioned with an eye on next year's Olympics in Tokyo. Their starting line-up in the 2-1 win over Scotland featured six players aged 23 or under.

“I can't wait to play against my teammate,” Kumagai said when asked about facing Bronze, along with England's future Lyon star, Nikita Parris.

“We know how each other play, of course, but maybe we won't be coming up directly against one another too often. Nevertheless, I will help my Japanese teammates, and tell them how Lucy plays.”

Both nations are already certain to be in the knockout phase in France before the Group D finale, but there is still plenty at stake.

Phil Neville's England need to avoid defeat to secure top spot in the section and thereby give themselves - in theory at least - a more favourable path towards the semi-finals.

Japan are certain to go through at least as one of the best third-placed teams, but the carrot is there for them to leapfrog England with a victory.

“Fortunately we have a chance, so we will try of course to win the game,” said Kumagai, refuting any suggestion that her team might take their foot off the pedal on the Cote d'Azur.





NAMPA/AFP
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Riding a competitive and dynamic wave

June 18, 2019, 4:00 pm
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Riding a competitive and dynamic waveRiding a competitive and dynamic waveDriving business banking at Nedbank Namibia Britt du Plessis has been at the helm of Nedbank Namibia’s Business Banking for just over a year. She talks to Jo-Maré Duddy about the challenges and opportunities of the business in Namibia. I tend to thrive in an environment that challenges me, keeps me on my toes, and provides me with the opportunity to raise the bar. B7: How would you describe the prevailing business landscape in Namibia?

BdP: Looking at the current economic condition and the lack of economic growth drivers in 2019, the Namibian economy remains in a downturn, which could further be prolonged due to a global economic slowdown. Furthermore, due to the prevailing drought, the agricultural projections have been revised downward. Factoring into account all this, the business landscape has been hit hard. The current economic conditions have affected almost every, if not all industrial sectors in the country.

B7: What are the main factors hampering business at the moment?

BdP: The low economic growth continues to be a challenge across all industries. A high unemployment rate as well as highly indebted consumers has led to low spending, which is evident looking at the low private sector credit extension numbers. This means that people are not spending as much as they used to and businesses are in turn getting the short end of the stick. Other factors which are hampering business growth at the moment include low investments and the global economic slowdown.

B7: What measures need to be taken to help reach the full potential of the business sector?

BdP: The following measures will help: relaxed regulations, the review of the proposed tax amendments and attracting foreign direct investment (FDI).

B7: What are the best opportunities for business in the country?

BdP: The solar energy and tourism industries continue to show growth. So does the upgrading of infrastructure especially with regards to water, hospitals, education, and logistics. Another opportunity would be to increase the value chain in agriculture, manufacturing and the fishing industries.

B7: Access to finance - especially in the SME sector - is often cited as a constraining factor. To which extend does Nedbank Namibia mitigate this concern?

BdP: At Nedbank Namibia we understand that the SME business segment has great potential to create revenue. The sector not only provides a livelihood for thousands of Namibians, but it also contributes significantly to the country’s overall income.

Nedbank has a dedicated Small Business Banking Solutions unit, which caters for the small to medium business segment. We know that taking the leap to become an entrepreneur and contributing to the Namibian economy can be a daunting task. People find they have the skills to be productive, but that they don’t necessarily have the tools or backing in place to make their vision a reality in the long run. Through our Small Business Solutions, we offer a range of tools and support for entrepreneurs and small business owners to help them make the most of their business.

B7: On a personal note: What inspired you to follow a career in business banking?

BdP: The banking industry is very competitive and dynamic. I tend to thrive in an environment that challenges me, keeps me on my toes, and provides me with the opportunity to raise the bar. My passion for people has also led me to banking. I work with colleagues who are equally passionate and genuinely interested in the needs of their clients. Working in business banking, my role allows me to interact with customers who are passionate about their dreams and work extremely hard to reach them, which is both humbling and inspiring.

B7: Gender equality remains a topical issue in Namibia. How difficult is it for women to make it to the top?

BdP: Even though we have made significant progress, banking is still very much a male dominated profession. Today we see more and more women seated at the banking table. I believe that this is because the banking world has realised women have so much to bring to the table. To make it to the top takes hard work, dedication and sacrifice.

B7: How do you juggle your professional and personal responsibilities?

BdP: My family is very important to me. Balancing my professional and personal life involves a great deal of planning. Some days are easier than other days.

B7: What advice do you have for young women to become successful professionals without compromising on their families?

BdP: There is always added pressure on women who want to climb the corporate ladder, as well as sustain a family. In today’s world women are expected to be the perfect professional as well as the perfect wife and mother. Unfortunately, one cannot be excellent at doing all three all of the time. I always advise young women professionals to always give your all in any situation and to put 100% into what you are doing at the present time. If you are at work, be completely present doing your job, and when you are with your family, be completely present with them.

B7: What is your motto - professional and personal - in life?

BdP: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!

KASSIE 1

About Britt du Plessis

Britt du Plessis was appointed as the head of Nedbank Namibia’s Business Banking on 1 June 2018.

She is a chartered accountant with an honours degree in taxation.

She has occupied various senior roles in the banking sector, and went on to join the Nedbank Namibia Business Banking team as a result of her love for banking.

Equipped with a dedicated team of banking specialists and business banking solutions to offer, Du Plessis is armed and ready to provide businesses with an exceptional banking experience and ultimately take Nedbank’s Business Banking to the next level.

KASSIE 2

NedNamibia Group profile

NedNamibia Holdings Ltd is the holding company for subsidiaries engaged in financial services including commercial and personal banking, corporate and specialised finance, personal lending, wealth management, life assurance, property and asset finance, foreign exchange and securities trading.

With increased contributions from the main subsidiaries, Nedbank Namibia Limited and NedNamibia Life Assurance Company Limited, profit after taxation grew by 12.03% to N$ 340 million for the past financial year compared to N$303.5 million in 2017.

This growth translated to earnings per ordinary share of 481.86 cents, which represents a 12.1% increase from 429.81 cents in 2017. Net asset value per share grew to 3 702.82 cents from 3 327.65 cents in 2017.

The group provides a full range of domestic and global services to individual, corporate and international clients through a widespread branch network, a business centre and a head office in Windhoek.

An innovative approach to providing financial services, coupled with in-depth knowledge of the Namibian market, a commitment to Namibian development, strong support from its shareholder, and adherence to international best practice in risk management has enabled the bank to grow.

NedNamibia Life Assurance Company Limited provides cover for clients, notably for their credit and overdraft commitments. NedPlan Insurance Brokers Namibia (Proprietary) Limited provides insurance brokerage services. NedCapital Namibia, the specialist non-banking financial services unit within NedNamibia Holdings, offers specialised finance, syndication and advisory services to corporates, state-owned enterprises and empowerment entities.
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Opoloyeka yomakaya ya pewa omulilo omuzizi

June 18, 2019, 4:00 pm
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Opoloyeka yomakaya ya pewa omulilo omuziziOpoloyeka yomakaya ya pewa omulilo omuzizi Omukwatakanithi gwongundu yoSwapo mOshitopolwa shaShikoto, Armas Amukwiyu okwa popi kutya opoloyeka yongushu yobiliyona yimwe yokulonga omakaya moshitopolwa shaZambezi otayi nyanwa omolwa uuyelele wa puka mboka wa gandjwa moshigwana.

Oshiwike sha piti okabinete kaNamibia oka gandja omulilo omuzizi kehangano lyoNamibia Oriental Tobacco, moka Amukwiyu e li omuniipambuliko pamwe nookume ke mongeshefa aakwashigwana yaChina, opo ya hiile oshitopolwa shevi shi longithwe melongo lyomakaya.

Okatokolitho hoka oka holola woo kutya oompango nomilandu dhopoloyeka ndjoka otadhi kamanithwa okupitila moCabinet Committee on Trade and Economic Development (CCTED).

Amukwiyu mehuliloshiwike okwa lombwele oshifokundaneki shoNamibian Sun kutya omatompelo sho aantu oyendji yeli ompinge nopoloyeka ndjoka, omolwaashoka inaya pewa uuyelele womondjila kombinga yopoloyeka ndjoka.

Amukwiyu okwa popi kutya oye na ontseyo yomaiyuvo goshigwana ngoka itaga popile opoloyeka ndjoka, mwakwatelwa gehwahwameko lyoAffirmative Reposition (AR) ndyoka omasiku ga piti lya shangele omukanda Omupresidende Hage Geingob moka ya holola omaiyuvo gawo kombinga yezimino ndyoka lya ningwa kokabinete omasiku ngaka.

Amukwiyu okwa pula oshigwana shi kale sha ngungumana nokutegekela ehangano lyoNamibia Oriental Tobacco li yelithe nokukutha po omalimbililo ngoka geli po shi na sha nopoloyeka ndjoka.

“Katu na oshindji okupopya, kutse oshili mondjila aantu opo ya holole omaiyuvo gawo kombinga yoshinima kehe shoka kaya uvite. Otwiinekela kutya esiku limwe otatu ka vula okukuutumba poshitaafula shimwe nokuyelitha okwaahauvathana hoka kuli po ngashiingeyi,” Amukwiyu a popi.

Uule woomvula dha piti, Amukwiyu nookume ke mongeshefa AaChina oya kala taya kondjitha opo yapewe oshitopolwa shevi shuunene woohecta 10 000 shofaalama moLiselo moshitopolwa shaZambezi kelelo lyopamuthigululwakalo lyaMafwe Traditional Authority.

Nonando ongaaka opoloyeka ndjoka oya li ya tindwa nokominista nale yuundjolowele Bernard Haufiku ngoka a li a popi kutya opoloyeka ndjoka oyi li iilwitho yopauzigo.

Okwa pula woo aakalimo yomoshitopolwa ya hogolole uundjolowele pehala lyuuzigo.

Omulandulwa gwaHaufiku, Richard Kamwi naye okwa li a tindi opoloyea ndjoka omolwa omalimbililo guundjolowele.

Sho a ningilwa omapulo, Ominista yUundjolowele, Kalumbi Shangula okwa popi kutya okatokolitho hoka ka pitithwa okuzimina opoloyeka ndjoka yomakaya okeli oshinima shomondjila.

Okwa popi kutya ye okuli oshitopolwa shokabinete hoka ka ningi etokolo ndyoka, ta gwedhwa po kutya aalandulwa ye oyali ya gandja omaiyuvo gawo pondje yokabinete.

KENYA KAMBOWE
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Geingob a gandja omahekeleko kofamili yanakudhipagwa komukwiita

June 18, 2019, 4:00 pm
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Geingob a gandja omahekeleko kofamili yanakudhipagwa komukwiitaGeingob a gandja omahekeleko kofamili yanakudhipagwa komukwiita Omupresidende Hage Geingob okwa gandja omahekeleko kofamili yomunamimvo 22, Fambaune Black, ngoka a dhipagwa komukwiita gwoNamibian Defence Force (NDF) oshiwike sha piti. Omupresidende okupitila momupopiliko gwe Alfred Hengari okwa lombwele oNamibian Sun kutya, oshiningwanima shoka shedhipago lyomuhingi gwotaxi osha ningwa paupya na otashi ka ungaungiwa nasho kwiikwatelelwa koveta yoshilongo.

Ombelewa yomupresidende oya popi kutya ekanitho lyomwenyo oshinima oshiwinayi na oya koleke kutya omupresidende okwa gandja omahekeleko koofamili yaBlack, omukwashigwana gwaZimbabwe ngoka a li omukalimo gwomOvenduka onga omuhingi gwotaxi pethimbo a yahwa okusa komukwiita mboka yali taya ningi opatolola moshilandopangelo, oshiwike sha piti.

Ombelewa yomupresidende oya holola kutya naku ninga edhipago ndyoka okwa tulwa miipandeko noveta yoshilongo otayi ka ungaunga noshikumungu shoka. Hengari okwa lombwele Namibian Sun kutya omupresidende okwiitulamo mekondjitho lyiimbulumaa ndyoka li li omukundu omunene gwa taalela oshigwana.

Sho a yamukula komaaindilo taga ningwa koshigwana opo aakwiita ya kuthwemo momapandanda, Ombelewa yOmupresidende oya yamukula kutya Geingob aluhe ota kwatelwa komeho kEkotampango, netulo lyaakwiita momapandanda meyambidhidho lyOpolisi mokukondjitha iimbuluma oshi li tashi endele pamwe nekotampango.

Oya popi kutya ekaleko lyegameno moshigwana okuza komiyonena osha simana opo ku vule okunanwa aatalelipo oshowo aayenda moNamibia. Pethimbo lyeindilo ndyoka lya ningwa kongundu yoNational Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo) of Namibia ongula yOmaandaha, Geingob okwa lombwele aatoolinkundana kutya aakwiita otaya kala taya longele kumwe nopolisi mokukondjitha iimbuluma sigo onkalo ya hwepopala. Okwa nyana edhipago ndyoka ta popi kutya aakwiita oya pumbwa okukala aayambidhidhi yopatolola ndjoka ihe inaya pumbwa okukala aakomeho.

Okwa ningwa eindilo lyopamalungulo ndyoka tali pula ehulithepo lyo Operation Kalahari Desert, ndyoka lya mono omashaino geli po 7 000 gomomashaino 7 500 ngoka ga pumbiwa opo eindilo ndyoka li gandjwe komalelo gomondjila.

Omukandanyenyeto ngoka tagu pula woo Swapo a hulithe po etungo lyoombonge dhe lyondilo na ogwa lundile epangelo kutya ethindilo lyaakwiita mokati kaakwashigwana omukalo kagu li mondjila.

Aakwashigwana mboka ya shaina omukandanyenyeto ngoka oya holola kutya omamomitho giihuna ngoka taga ningilwa aakwashigwana kaaakwiita kage li pauntu na otaga yi pondje uuthemba womuntu.

Omukwashigwana gwaNamibia ngoka eli omukalimo gwomoCanada ngashiingeyi, Victor Indongo, okwa pula omupresidende Geingob ngele okwa gamenwa nga okugalukila kegumbo. Nonando ongaaka AaNamibia oyendji otaya popile opatolola ndjoka yo Operation Kalahari Desert, taya popile ompumbwe yokukala kwaanambelewa yegameno momapandanda. Omukwashigwana gumwe okwa shanga kepandja lyoNamibian Sun kutya, opatolola ndjoka nayi tsikile molwaashoka kape na gumwe e li pombanda yoveta, nongele omunambelewa gwopolisi nenge omukwiita okwa gopola nena na ungaungiwe naye kompango.

Omukwashigwana gumwe okwa popi kutya opatolola nayi tsikile ihe aakwiita naya dheulwe nkene ye na okwiihumbata moshigwana nokuungaunga naakwashigwana.

Toni Hancox, omukomeho gwoLegal Assistance Centre (LAC), okwa yelitha kutya mOmpango yEgameno, uuna aakwiita ya pewa oshinakugwanithwa shokuyambidhidha opolisi oya pumbwa okukala ye na oonkondo niilonga ya faathana naambyoka yaapolisi.

Okwa popi kutya paveta ndjoka, aakwiita oye na oshinakugwanithwa shokulongitha oonkondo ooshona uuna taya tula miipandeko ihe moshiningwanima shedhipago shoka sha ningwa, kapwa li etulo miipandeko tali ningwa onkene kasha li mondjila aakwiita ya longithe oonkondo dha sha.



JANA-MARI SMITH
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ANC row over Reserve Bank unnerves investors

June 18, 2019, 4:00 pm
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ANC row over Reserve Bank unnerves investorsANC row over Reserve Bank unnerves investorsDeconstructing the debate ANC members say there is disagreement in the party over whether the SARB's mandate should be formally reworded to give job creation and growth more prominence. Olivia Kumwenda-Mtambo and Alexander Winning - A row within South Africa's African National Congress (ANC) about the role of the central bank has unnerved investors and exposed deep divisions in the governing party.

One ANC faction loyal to president Cyril Ramaphosa is opposing calls from a rival group for the central bank's monetary policy to do more to boost employment and growth.

The dispute threatens to undermine confidence in Africa's most advanced economy, as the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has a strong reputation for acting independently.

The primary focus of the SARB's monetary policy is price stability, but it also seeks to ensure sustainable growth.

According to the country’s constitution, "the primary object of the South African Reserve Bank is to protect the value of the currency in the interest of balanced and sustainable economic growth".

The constitution adds the SARB "must perform its functions independently and without fear, favour or prejudice, but there must be regular consultation between the bank and the cabinet member responsible for national financial matters".

To achieve its monetary policy goals, the SARB has used an inflation-targeting framework since 2000.

The current target band is 3% to 6%, and the bank uses interest rate adjustments to meet its inflation target.

In 2010, the then-finance minister, Pravin Gordhan, wrote to the central bank reiterating the SARB's mandate but drawing attention to studies on the importance of inflation management in supporting sustainable growth and employment.

Bank officials say they routinely take into account labour market developments as part of their monetary policy discussions.

Proposed changes

ANC secretary general Ace Magashule said on 4 June that a three-day meeting of party leaders had "agreed to expand the mandate of the South African Reserve Bank beyond price stability to include growth and employment".

He also said the party wanted the government to consider quantitative easing, a policy widely used by developed economies after the global financial crisis to stimulate growth by pumping cash back into the economy.

However, the ANC issued a statement on 6 June, in the name of Ramaphosa, saying its policy on the role of the central bank had not changed. The central bank governor dismissed talk of quantitative easing as not appropriate for South Africa's economic conditions.

ANC members say there is disagreement in the party over whether the bank's mandate should be formally reworded to give job creation and growth more prominence.

Some party members believe the SARB has not done enough to help the economy more than two decades after the end of white minority rule.

The SARB has opposed previous attempts to alter its mandate and has said the debate is an unnecessary distraction as the challenges facing the economy cannot be solved by monetary policy alone.

Other central banks

Price stability is the primary focus of monetary policy in many of the world's largest economies, but some central banks have lesser priorities such as contributing to their governments' economic policies.

A smaller group of central banks, including the US Federal Reserve, Reserve Bank of Australia and Reserve Bank of New Zealand, have "dual mandates" according to which they seek to maximise employment as well as keep inflation in check.

Among emerging markets other than South Africa, Turkey's central bank has price stability as its primary goal, followed by growth and employment as lesser objectives. Russia's central bank has price stability as its principal monetary policy objective but also tries to create conditions for "balanced and sustainable economic development".

In the United States, some policy experts have said the Fed's dual mandate is outdated and should be changed.

New Zealand's central bank adopted its dual mandate as recently as 2018. Officials at the bank have explained the move by saying low inflation is a means to improve people's wellbeing and that employment is a tangible measure of wellbeing.

Worried investors

In South Africa, investors are worried by the row over the SARB's mandate because it is being driven by bitter factional battles within the ANC rather than sober policy debate.

They are concerned that expanding the central bank's mandate could increase arguments for riskier monetary policy.

The push to change the bank's role comes from a left-wing camp within the ANC that wants Ramaphosa to change tack on a range of policies and is using the mandate issue as a battering ram, some ANC members say.

The economic implications for South Africa could be serious if the change is rammed through in a way that shakes the confidence of the investors who fund the country's twin budget and current account deficits.

It could also impact the country's sovereign credit ratings.

Only one global ratings agency, Moody's, still gives South Africa an investment-grade rating, but that rating is hanging by a thread and if it falls the government's borrowing costs would almost certainly rise.

Moody's has said the central bank's credibility is an important factor in its ratings decisions.

Process of change

Altering the SARB's mandate could be a drawn-out process, as officials understand the process differently.

Some believe the constitution would have to be amended since the SARB's current focus is enshrined in that document.

A two-thirds majority in the lower house of parliament is required to change the constitution.

The ANC has 230 out of the 400 seats in the lower house, or 57.5% of the seats, so it would have to rely on the support of other parties.

But other officials believe a letter from the finance minister, like the one written by Gordhan in 2010, would be sufficient to change the mandate.

Current finance minister Tito Mboweni is an opponent of changing the SARB's mandate.

If the SARB thinks its independence is under threat, it could challenge in court any moves to change its mandate. – Nampa/Reuters

Kassie

The Bank of Namibia

The Bank of Namibia (BoN) is the central bank of the Republic of Namibia, created under Article 128(1) of the Namibian Constitution.

The constitution mandates the BoN to serve as the principal instrument of government to control money supply, the currency, as well as banking and any other financial institutions.

The objectives of the BoN as defined in the Bank of Namibia Act include to promote and maintain a sound monetary, credit and financial system in Namibia and sustain the liquidity, solvency, and functioning of the system. The central bank also promotes and maintains internal and external monetary stability and an efficient payments mechanism. In addition, the BoN fosters monetary, credit and financial conditions that are conducive to the orderly, balanced and sustained economic development of Namibia.

In line with the Bank of Namibia Act, the BoN performs its functions independently subject to regular consultation with the minister of finance. – BoN Annual Report 2018
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Agribank's top brass meet with Utoni

June 18, 2019, 4:00 pm
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Agribank's top brass meet with UtoniAgribank's top brass meet with UtoniChallenges discussed, updates provided Land reform minister Utoni Nujoma has been briefed by Agribank following a wide variety of topics discussed. A delegation from the Agribank board and the bank's CEO, Sakaria Nghikembua recently met with land reform minister Utoni Nujoma as part of the bank's on-going stakeholder engagement strategy.

According to a statement issued by Agribank, its chairperson, Michael Iyambo at the meeting said that the bank is a very important player in the land reform process and requires the support from all stakeholders in order to further the government's national developmental agenda in the agricultural sector. Iyambo noted that the agricultural sector is faced with unpredictable and difficult times due to climate change and the devastating drought, which requires closer synergies between the various role players. According to him, these challenging times also present opportunities to both the ministry and Agribank to make a meaningful impact in the country's land reform process, if a sustainable model is developed and implemented for the sector.

Nghikembua presented the bank's overall performance, highlighting milestones and challenges facing the institution as well as mitigating measures that are in place.

Nujoma applauded Agribank for introducing the drought relief interventions, following the declaration of drought as a national emergency. Nujoma was equally impressed with Agribank's contribution to help achieve the national target of land acquisition.

ELLANIE SMIT
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Agri continues to create employment

June 18, 2019, 4:00 pm
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Agri continues to create employmentAgri continues to create employment Despite the disastrous conditions that the agriculture sector in Namibia is facing due to the drought, it has created employment opportunities while other sectors within the economy have faced colossal dismissals.

During the Agricultural Employers' Association (AEA) congress that took place last week a survey was done with regards to the scale of dismissals of farmworkers among all farmers' associations that attended the congress.

A very interesting observation was that due to the explosion of charcoal production and the production of boskos, which are both very labour intensive, the central and northern parts of the commercial area currently have more employees in service than three to five years ago.

Speaking at the congress, the AEA chairperson Hellmut Förtsch also stressed the importance of heeding President Hage Geingob's request for the improvement of the living conditions of farmworkers.

According to Förtsch the AEA in the past proactively initiated improvements in the living conditions for farmworkers that can now be improved upon.

He said the current initiative is a survey for members and non-members stipulating steps employers intend taking within the next three years to make work in agriculture more attractive and competitive within the national economy, as well as supporting the Harambee and the Fifth National Development plans.

“The first priorities are physical living conditions such as housing, economic prosperity and retirement plans, as well as social conditions.”

Förtsch also said the provision for retirement is lacking in Namibia as the national pension fund has not been activated yet.

“The private pension fund for farmworkers, NARF, had to be discontinued in 2016 due to skyrocketing admin costs and too few participants. Hence a large portion of the Namibian workforce, including farmworkers, lacks comprehensive provision for retirement.”



ELLANIE SMIT
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Integrated drought system needed for Cuvelai

June 18, 2019, 4:00 pm
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Integrated drought system needed for CuvelaiIntegrated drought system needed for Cuvelai An integrated transnational system for drought information is required for the transboundary Cuvelai-Basin in Namibia and Angola.

This integrated system must incorporate both natural hazard data and the social vulnerability domain.

According to research by the Institute for Social-Ecological Research (ISOE) it is only through this integrated perspective that governmental bodies will be able to design suitable relief and adaptation measures against drought risks.

This is one of the key findings contained in the ISOE policy brief titled 'Integrated responses to drought risks in Namibia and Angola', which describes the requirements for an integrated, transnational risk assessment.

According to the document scientific instruments that measure the extent of drought risks are becoming increasingly important, since they enable effective countermeasures at an early stage.

“Using Namibia and Angola as examples, researchers of ISOE have now developed an instrument that covers not only conventional environmental parameters, but also includes the social aspects of droughts,” the report says.

The document says that only a comprehensive strategy will serve to achieve the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). A comprehensive strategy includes the development of appropriate measures for adaptation to and mitigation of droughts.

“For this, it is important to know not only the ecological, but also the social consequences of droughts. It is only through this holistic approach that the actual extent of drought risks become apparent and thus the vulnerability of humans and nature to environmental events.”

The report points out that medium- and long-term strategies are needed to combat hunger, water scarcity and migration as a consequence of droughts. These strategies combine very different technical as well as institutional measures.

“As the example of the Cuvelai catchment area in the border region between Namibia and Angola shows, environmental events do not stop at national borders. So, this risk assessment also needs a transnational approach.”

According to the report both Angola and Namibia experienced severe drought events in the early 1990s and 2000s as well as a perennial drought from 2013 to 2016, where the food security of some 450 000 people in Namibia alone (20% of Namibia's population) was considered to be insecure.

The population of both countries, particularly in the transnational Cuvelai basin at the border between the Cunene Province in Angola and the northern regions of Namibia, suffer tremendously as most people live in a subsistence economy that is closely connected to the hydrological conditions.

“With the bad rainy season in 2018/19, this region will experience the next episode of drought in the coming months.”

The report adds that exceptional droughts are likely to occur more often in the near future as climate change will trigger more extreme hydro-meteorological events. As a consequence, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) emphasises that droughts will become stronger and more frequent, which challenges the growing population of the Cuvelai basin to sustain water and food security in the long-term.

“The Angolan and Namibian population in the Cuvelai basin closely interact across the national border. Likewise water does not care about national borders and thus has to be managed in a joint and integrated way by all members of both societies.”

The document said water-use efficiencies and local water buffers must be enhanced, in particular on the Angolan side of the border.

“The targeted implementation and further development of multi-resources-mix technologies (e.g. rainwater harvesting and water reuse) can reduce the population's drought vulnerability.”

It further said that larger scale infrastructural developments should go hand in hand with flexible decentralised solutions to enhance water and food security.

“Local community solidarity is an important institutional backbone for the population to cope with drought and to adapt to future changes. In particular, rural development efforts are required that go beyond technological interventions and support community-building and collective actions in both water management and agricultural production, to decouple livelihoods from local rainfall.”

According to the report, environment and society are subject to continuous change in the Cuvelai basin and southern Africa in general.

It said that continuous monitoring of key drought risk parameters from both the natural hazard as well as the societal dimension are critical for successful drought mitigation and adaptation.

“A bundle of promising key interventions to reduce the population's sensitivity and enhance its coping capacities in the case of drought events needs to be considered.

“These interventions lie in the fields of water, food, infrastructure, community and education.”



ELLANIE SMIT
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'Missing millions' mystery at Okahao

June 18, 2019, 4:00 pm
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'Missing millions' mystery at Okahao'Missing millions' mystery at Okahao The upgrading and renovation work at the Okahao district hospital, which had been abandoned eight years amid allegations that the contractor had received an upfront payment of N$17 million, has resumed.

Efforts by former health minister Bernard Haufiku to recover the money paid to Messrs failed, after health officials disagreed with him about the upfront payment, claiming that the N$17 million was in fact not paid upfront to Messrs Property Decorative Developer and that the company had not run away with any government funds.

The project was abandoned by Messrs for no apparent reason in 2010 and has now been awarded to a Namibian-owned company that has subcontracted the work to a Chinese firm and a local SME.

The project includes upgrading the hospital's outpatient department, pharmacy, radiography department, dental clinic, laboratory, eye clinic and communicable disease control (CDC) department.

In 2012 the works ministry cancelled Messrs' contract.

According to Omusati health director Alfons Amoomo the project cost currently stands at N$23 million and construction resumed in December last year.

The projected is expected to be completed by the end of July next year.

Amoomo confirmed it includes the casualty section and the construction of ablution facilities.

“The (new) contractor is a Namibian-owned company which has subcontracted a Chinese-owned company and other Namibian SME. Construction work started last year December and is expected to be completed at the end of July 2020. Most importantly, the renovation is progressing well and is on track,” Amoomo said.

Haufiku, during his tenure that was abruptly ended in December last year by President Hage Geingob, started a process to recover N$16 million of the N$17 million paid to Messrs in 2010.

According to Haufiku, the money was paid to the company before work started on the project.

He said the work done before the project was abandoned had not been worth N$17 million.

Haufiku said at the time that the works ministry had monitored the project and he did not understand how the contractor could be paid before doing the work.

This came to light in 2015 when the hospital's senior medical officer, Dr Mary Nandjebo, said about N$17 million had been paid to the contractor.

However, the ministry's senior health programme officer, Martin Mukulu, asserted that the ministry had only paid for work done and approved by the consultants on the project.

“There was no advance payment on this project and therefore the contractor did not run away with any government funds. The contractor also forfeited the performance guarantee provided to government on the project as part of the contract agreement and conditions of employment,” Mukulu said.

Mukulu's version was supported by Amoomo who said no advance payment was done and therefore no money could be recovered.

“The contractor was never paid such an amount and the ministry has followed all procedures as outlined in the contract agreement. For example, most of their construction materials and equipment were retained and handed over to the new contractor,” Amoomo said.

Efforts to get comment from Haufiku, who is now a special advisor on health issues in the Office of the President, failed as he could not be reached on his cellphone.

ILENI NANDJATO
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AfCFTA coming into force: What’s next?

June 18, 2019, 4:00 pm
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AfCFTA coming into force: What’s next? AfCFTA coming into force: What’s next? Klaus Schade At an extraordinary African Union meeting in Kigali on 21 March 2018, 44 out of 55 African states signed the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.

After 22 of the member states have deposited their instruments of ratification with the AU Commission on 29 April 2019, the AfCFTA came into force 30 days later, with 24 member states that have deposited their instrument of ratification. Among them are Namibia, South Africa and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic that is recognised by the AU as a member state. However, Africa’s largest economy, Nigeria, is not part of it.

While the event reflects the political commitment to continental integration, not much is actually changing on the ground.

Negotiations between member states - or in the case of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), between SACU and other AU member states - are still continuing with respect to tariff concessions, as well as commitments on trade in services.

The ministers of trade were requested to submit tariff concessions at the next AU meeting in July 2019 and the commitments for trade in services in February 2020. The draft protocols on investment, competition and on intellectual property rights are expected to be tabled in January 2021.

As the saying goes: governments do not trade, but the private sector does. Therefore, there is a need for much closer involvement of the private sector in regional and continental economic integration.

We can perhaps learn a lesson from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) experience. The ASEAN member states have established a business advisory council that reports directly to the committee of economic ministers, as well as to the heads of state at the annual meetings, reflecting the importance ASEAN attaches to the role of the private sector.

Furthermore, as Namibia diversifies its trade patterns and opens its markets to more countries, there is a need to strengthen the institutional framework.

Substantial progress has been made with the establishment of the Namibian Board of Trade that will deal among others with trade tariffs, safeguard issues and rebates for specific industries.

Currently, only South Africa has an active Board of Trade – the International Trade Administration Commission. In particular, the South African automobile industry benefits substantially from rebates from the SACU common revenue pool.

A lean, efficient Namibian Board of Trade would ensure that the playing field would be more levelled, which could help Namibia attracting additional investment. And it would be a stepping stone towards the establishment of a SACU Board of Trade as envisaged in the 2002 SACU Agreement, which would provide the smaller SACU economies with a stronger voice in setting the common external tariff.
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Chasing the richest of the rich

June 18, 2019, 4:00 pm
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Chasing the richest of the richChasing the richest of the richNam eyes Horasis meetings Horasis dedicates itself to the innovation and development of sustainable emerging markets. We believe that Africa is the world’s new frontier. - Frank-Jürgen Richter, Founder: Horasis Namibia hopes to co-host one of the annual events of Horasis, an independent, international think tank whose meetings are often compared to the World Economic Forum’s yearly gatherings in Davos, Switzerland.

This includes the Horasis Visionary Billionaire meeting, a closed meeting of the top 15 Forbes-listed billionaires.

The latest set of resolutions released by the ministry of information and communication technology states that cabinet has approved Namibia to enter into an agreement with Horasis to co-host the think tank’s inaugural meeting for Africa in 2022, its billionaire meeting or its Asia meeting focusing on India and China.

Commenting on the billionaire meeting, the resolution states: “This meeting takes place in September each year in an undisclosed location without the presence of the media.” It could arise the interest of “one or more of the attendees to invest in Namibia”, it says.

Horasis was founded in by 2005 by Frank-Jürgen Richter, a former director of the World Economic Forum (WEF), and dedicates itself to the innovation and development of sustainable emerging markets.

In an interview in April this year with The Times of Israel, Richter said Horasis was “investigating” a Horasis Africa Meeting.

“We believe that Africa is the world’s new frontier and we have seen the need to bring the African continent together in an annual conclave. There are several potential host countries we are talking to,” Richter told the The Times of Israel.

Commenting on the billionaire meeting, he told the publication: “They meet over a long weekend to exchange views about the next steps in their business and private life, philanthropy and the betterment of the world.”

According to Richter, Horasis is a “global visions community committed to inspire the future”.

Investment Centre

On being likened to Davos, Richter told The Times of Israel: “The media likes to compare us with Davos. Davos might have lost its innocence, it is a very commercial undertaking these days. I usually don’t like the Davos comparison too much, we are not benchmarking ourselves.

“We are concentrating on our own development. We want to be the world’s most important annual gathering where like-minded individuals and organisations meet and jointly inspire the future.”

Cabinet directed the ministry of industrialisation, trade and SME development, through the Namibia Investment Centre (NIC), to liaise with the ministry of international relations and cooperation to engage Horasis on the options to be agreed upon and coordinate the follow-up.

The NIC has to market Namibia as a favourable investment destination to ensure that the country has its fair share or regional and global foreign direct investment (FDI) flows. The centre also has to identify and encourage the attraction and growth of inward and outward domestic investment.

According to the NIC’s website, the centre has overseas investment promotion representatives in, among others, Geneva in Switzerland, where Horasis’ headquarters are.
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The millstone of incumbency

June 18, 2019, 4:00 pm
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The millstone of incumbencyThe millstone of incumbency In a study titled 'Political parties in southern Africa: The state of parties and their role in democratisation' lead author Khabele Matlosa argues succinctly that political parties are the heart of politics in a representative democracy. However, parties also have the potential to become a political liability to democracy. Whether political parties prove to be an asset or a liability depends crucially, among other things, on the context within which they operate, their mode of internal governance and how they respond to external political stimuli, according to Matlosa.

The study, which took place some years ago, summarises research and interviews with political party leaderships covering 12 SADC countries - Angola, Botswana, the DRC, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

It argues that in a democracy there is no substitute for open competition between political parties in elections. But that throughout the world, however, political parties find themselves in crisis, unpopular and increasingly distrusted. They are suffering from declining membership, internal management practices that are often weak and not sufficiently democratic, and party system regulations that often set far-reaching limits to the way in which parties are allowed to operate.

Honing in on Namibia, the study concludes that the Swapo dominance that has marked the political landscape since the democratic transition of 1990 has been made possible and sustainable in the medium- to long-term due in large measure due to the advantages that come with incumbency, the liberation tradition and the weakness, disjointedness and fragmentation of opposition parties.

Whatever happens, going forward, on our political landscape it has been refreshing to witness the contestation in the Ondangwa Urban by-election, despite the pathetic voter turnout. What is becoming clear is that incumbency - given the myriad of challenges and issues being experienced in the country – is effectively becoming a millstone for the ruling party.

However, as long as the opposition largely remains fragmented, don't hold your breath for real political change, unless the internal anti-Hage Geingob forces align themselves in a broad-based new party.
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Zim embassy reaches out

June 18, 2019, 4:00 pm
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Zim embassy reaches outZim embassy reaches outAssisting family of slain cab driver The Zimbabwean embassy in Windhoek would not comment on the investigation in the shooting of their countryman but, is helping with the repatriation of the man's remains. The Embassy of Zimbabwe in Namibia has expressed sadness following the shooting of Zimbabwean national, 22-year-old Talent Fambauone Black, and are working with his family and the Namibian government to ensure his remains are returned home.

In a brief statement to Namibian Sun, Jacqueline Molai, an embassy spokesperson speaking on behalf of the ambassador Rofina Chikava said the fatal shooting of Black during Operation Kalahari Desert, “is a very unfortunate and a sad event for all people in Namibia including the Zimbabwe community in Namibia, embassy staff and indeed myself”.

The ambassador underlined that “loss of life will never be an easy event for anyone, and hence the embassy is treating this event with the utmost consideration for the bereaved family during this difficult period”.

The embassy confirmed they had reached out to Black's family and “preparations in conjunction with the government of Namibia are underway to repatriate the body of the deceased to Zimbabwe”.

The embassy declined to comment further on the incident, citing the fact that investigations are still under way but confirmed that once the investigations are concluded, and the embassy has shared the information with Black's family, and they approve, the embassy can comment further on the matter in the media.

Meanwhile, a petition with the dual demand of stopping Operation Kalahari Desert and the costly renovations of Swapo headquarters has attracted more than 7 500 signatures, with a steep increase of signatures since Black's shooting last week.

The online petition, titled 'Stop Operation Kalahari Desert and Swapo HQ Renovation' condemns the heavy-handed and deadly “unleashing the military on civilians”, and calls on President Hage Geingob to “stop this madness”.

In a statement released shortly after the shooting incident became public, the United People's Movement (UPM) warned that soldiers “are not trained in law enforcement and therefore cause problems all over the country”.

Moreover, the UPM cautioned that soldiers are not trained to “understand the concept of minimum force”, which they said was made clear by the multiple public reports of heavy-handedness.

The UPM, among many other groups and individuals, called on the withdrawal of NDF soldiers from Operation Kalahari Desert.

The Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement, through its People's Litigation Centre has given the authorities five days to remove soldiers from the ongoing crime-prevention operation or it will turn to the courts to force government to do so. Kadhila Amoomo, counsel for the centre, sent a letter last week Friday to that effect.



JANA-MARI SMITH
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Transfer pricing in a nut shell

June 18, 2019, 4:00 pm
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Transfer pricing in a nut shellTransfer pricing in a nut shell The term “transfer pricing” features more and more regularly in discussions and publications on the Namibian economy and tax landscape lately.

What is transfer pricing?

Very briefly, it can be described as an accounting and taxation practice between related parties (like subsidiary and holding companies) in setting prices for cross-border transactions involving goods and services.

The price charged by, for example, a subsidiary to a holding company is known as the transfer price and is the actual price charged between related parties in an international transaction.

Why transfer pricing?

Transfer pricing is used to attach a value to goods, services and technology transferred between holding companies and subsidiaries and entities controlled by the same parent company. The transaction is not controlled by open market principles or in an otherwise commercial environment.

It is also used to control exchange rate fluctuations.

Traditionally, transfer pricing was applied also to shift profits between various tax jurisdictions and to minimise the tax burden of entities operating in countries with high tax rates.

It must be stressed however, that transfer pricing is not per se used to evade taxes.

Arm’s length principle

Most countries following the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) model apply the arm’s length principle in scrutinising transfer pricing of taxpayers involved in cross border transactions with related parties.

The very fact that transfer pricing is applied by related parties means that it cannot be automatically at arm’s length. Where the price charged or payable by a related party differs from a price that would have been charged to an unrelated party, the difference could result in a tax advantage.

In such a case the tax authorities would apply the arm’s length price, disregarding the value attached by the entities in a cross-border transaction.

Namibian transfer pricing legislation

Namibia introduced legislation on transfer pricing by inserting section 95A on 14 May 2005, but apart from a few cases, Inland Revenue did not vigorously pursue the transactions of cross-border related entities.

This, however, changed recently with a transfer pricing unit being established and trained by international tax specialists. We can therefore expect that the tax returns of more taxpayers falling in the transfer pricing category will be scrutinised and assessed accordingly.

Transfer pricing policy

The wise maxim “prevention is better than cure” is very applicable when it comes to unexpected tax assessment.

The solution is to obtain professional services in ensuring that the transfer pricing policy for Namibian entities linked to entities from abroad is updated and tested for arm’s length scrutiny by the tax authorities.

Bianca Cooper is the manager: indirect tax and transfer pricing at PwC Namibia. Contact her at bianca.cooper@pwc.com
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Disease time bomb

June 18, 2019, 4:00 pm
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Disease time bombDisease time bomb49% of Namibians defecate in the open A global health report has underlined the shocking conditions that Namibians are living in that expose them to a myriad of diseases. As the country battles an ongoing hepatitis E epidemic, a global health report has shockingly revealed that 49% of Namibians are still defecating in the open, posing a serious health risk.

According to the new report by the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), of the more than 2.5 million people living in Namibia only 35% had access to basic sanitation facilities by 2017.

This is a mere 7% increase from the turn of the century

According to the report 49% of the population was still defecating in the open in 2017. In 2000, 56% of Namibians were defecating in the open. In terms of rural areas, the report showed that by 2017 only 18% of Namibians had basic sanitation facilities and a massive 73% defecated in the open, compared to 2000 when 76% of rural Namibians were defecating in the open.

In urban areas 53% of the population had basic sanitation facilities and 23% defecated in the open, indicating an increase from 14% in 2000.

The 'Joint Monitoring Programme report, Progress on drinking water, sanitation and hygiene: 2000-2017: Special focus on inequalities' found that while significant progress has been made globally toward achieving universal access to basic water, sanitation and hygiene, there are huge gaps in the quality of services provided.

Some 2.2 billion people around the world do not have safely managed drinking water services, while 4.2 billion people do not have safely managed sanitation services and 3 billion lack basic hand-washing facilities.



Access to water

The report indicated that 83% of Namibians had access to basic drinking water services in 2017, an increase of 6% in coverage since 2000. The latest statistics showed that 69% of Namibia's rural population and 96% of its urban population had gained access to basic water services by 2017.

However, the report noted that 12% of the rural population still drink untreated surface water.

Furthermore, it indicated that while 60% of the population had access to water supplies on their premises in 2017, in rural areas this figure is only 46% and in urban areas it stands at 75%.

Namibian Sun recently revealed that at 2 June, a total of 5 309 hepatitis E cases had been reported in most regions and that 45 people had died since the first case was detected nearly two years ago in Windhoek's informal settlements.

The first identified case of hepatitis E was reported in mid-October 2017 at a hospital in Windhoek.





The outbreak has spread to almost all regions of Namibia, with the informal settlements most affected because of poor sanitation and inadequate response coordination.

The hardest-hit areas are the Havana and Goreangab informal settlements in Windhoek and the DRC informal settlement at Swakopmund, “where access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene is limited”.

Data from the latest situation report, released by the health ministry last week, shows that 3 020 (57%) of those infected were men, while 2 289 were women.

The outbreak has spread from the Khomas Region to eight other regions - Erongo, Kavango, Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto and Omaheke.







The Khomas Region remains the most affected area, with a total of 3 469 cases reported, followed by 1 249 cases reported in the Erongo Region.

The remaining 11% of cases, totalling 591, were detected in the other seven regions.



Lack of basic services

The UNICEF and WHO report revealed that 1.8 billion people globally have gained access to basic drinking water services since 2000, but there are vast inequalities in the accessibility, availability and quality of these services. It is estimated that 1 in 10 people (785 million) still lack basic services, including the 144 million who drink untreated surface water. The data shows that 8 in 10 people living in rural areas lacked access to these services.

ELLANIE SMIT
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Well diggers were warned - Shilongo

June 18, 2019, 4:00 pm
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Well diggers were warned - ShilongoWell diggers were warned - Shilongo A report compiled by Ohangwena chief regional officer Fillipus Shilongo has revealed that a team of well diggers were advised not to continue with their activities at Okatope, where tragedy struck over the weekend when two of them were buried alive.

Shilongo said the team leader of the diggers had approached Ohangwena constituency councillor Johannes Hakanyome's office for assistance with tools and equipment before the tragedy this past Saturday in which 29-year-old Kashima Junias Hauwanga and 36-year-old Jacob Hangula lost their lives.

The councillor's office had, however, not assisted the diggers and rather advised them that the soil in the area was not conducive to digging wells.

Hauwanga and Hangula were trapped in the six-metre-deep hole on Saturday afternoon and their bodies were only recovered on Sunday morning, after masses of sand collapsed on them while they were digging.

According to Shilongo, Fillipus Shaduka reported to local headwoman Frida Melila that he intended to dig a private well in his mahangu field and recruited four people to do so.

“The team leader of the recruited people approached the councillor's office for assistance with tools and equipment.

The councillor's office could not intervene since the well was an individual and private project, it rather advised them to stop such a well as the soil in the area is not suitable for wells. Unfortunately they did not adhere to the advice from the councillor,” said Shilongo.

He had urgently tasked regional director of water supply and sanitation coordination, Lazarus Shikololo, chief administrative officer for emergencies, Thomas Mwandingi, and control administrative officer for the Ohangwena constituency, Josephine Oiva, to find out what had transpired at Okatope.





According to Shilongo, Shaduka had reported to Melila that he intended to dig a private well in his mahangu field, which is about 50 metres from his house.

He then recruited four people from the surrounding villages to dig his well, so he could use the water to construct his house and for household consumption.

Although, the community claims the incident happened due to the severe drought and water shortages in the area, Shilongo said there are four government-installed water points within a 2km radius that can be used by people and livestock.

Water pressure at one of the water points has been low since the beginning of this month, which resulted in long queues.

Melila indicated there are also three operational traditional wells in the village.

“As per the assessment in terms of water availability in the village there are four water points constructed by the government within the radius of 2km and two of them have cattle troughs; one is in use and the other one is closed due to outstanding payment. “The nearest water point is in the radius of about 900m from his (Shaduka's) house.







According to the housekeeper they are not using that water point since they do have their private off-take in the house of Shaduka's father house, which about a 500m distance from his house (sic),” Shilongo said in his report.

“The water pressure at one water point is a bit low since the beginning of June 2019, which resulted in a long queue at the water points. The directorate of rural water supply and coordination team should do an assessment on the water pressure in the pipeline. Community members should be discouraged to dig traditional wells; (they should) rather apply for private off-takes.”

Shaduka and other community members told Namibian Sun that due to the drought situation, neighbours also do not want them to use water from their wells anymore and that is why people are making an effort to secure their own water supply.

Shilongo said there is a need refill the pit in which the two diggers died, as it may be life-threatening to human beings, especially children, as well as livestock.



ILENI NANDJATO
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