Namibian Sun

Urban SUV style to entry-level marketSuzuki’s S-Presso The S-Presso joins Suzuki’s range of urban SUVs in March 2020 with a choice of five model derivatives and two transmission options.

As every connoisseur will tell you, the best way to experience quality coffee is to remove all but the very essence and to concentrate the flavour in a short and very flavourful espresso.

This is the inspiration behind the S-Presso, a new urban SUV that condenses all the best Suzuki characteristics in a compact and affordable package.

The S-Presso joins Suzuki’s range of urban SUVs in March 2020 with a choice of five model derivatives and two transmission options, proving that even the entry-level segment can be spoilt for choice when buying a Suzuki.

With the introduction of cars such as the Suzuki Jimny and later the Ignis, Suzuki is widely credited for creating the ultra-compact SUV market segment. The S-Presso joins this illustrious duo with a pure SUV design, high ground clearance and commanding driving position.

Eye-catching

Viewed from the front, the S-Presso catches the eye with its bold four-slot grille with large S-emblem. The grille is flanked by squared-off halogen headlamps, with a distinct differentiation between the integrated indicators and main headlamps.

Below the grille, the lower black bumper is swept up in a trapezoidal shape into the coloured main bumper to create a larger air intake and the visual impression of a high-riding SUV. Not that it is simply a visual trick – the S-Presso has a ground clearance of 180mm on all models, thanks in part to its the 14” steel wheels.

The SUV styling continues along the side of the S-Presso with bold fenders and semi-squared-off wheel arches over the wheels with trapezoidal full wheel covers. The wheels have been placed at the outer corners of the S-Presso to ensure good road holding and to allow the engineers to fit a 2.38m wheelbase into this 3.56m long vehicle.

All models also feature colour-coded door handles and side mirrors, with the choice of six exterior colours: Sizzle Orange, Pearl Starry Blue, Fire Red, Metallic Granite Grey, Metallic Silky Silver and White.

At the rear, a small integrated spoiler is added to the hatch door, while the square rear lights with their C-design have been moved above the shoulder line to strengthen the SUV design theme. A black rear bumper, with a design similar to the front bumper, is fitted below the coloured section and features the number plate recess and integrated parking sensors, which are standard across the entire S-Presso range.

Personalisation

For buyers looking for something more exclusive, Suzuki has designed a premium S-Edition model that highlights all of the S-Presso’s most prominent SUV features. The S-Edition draws its SUV inspiration from the Suzuki Escudo S-Edition, which was launched in Japan in 2004.

The S-Presso was designed with personalisation in mind.

All S-Presso models can be customised with personalised exterior options, such as colour coded front grille, rear spoiler and side cladding options.

Buyers can even opt for complementary colour options to pair unique colour combinations and express their individuality. Interior accessories can also be added to either colour match the exterior, or highlight interior elements with complementary colour options for the dashboard garnish, air conditioning louvers and door panel accessories.

These and many other accessories can be ordered at any Suzuki dealer and will be fitted under the vehicle’s comprehensive warranty.

Safety first

All models in the new S-Presso range feature two airbags as standard and is fitted with and anti-lock braking system (ABS) with emergency brake-force distribution (EBD).

All S-Presso models feature reverse parking sensors as standard, while GL+ and S-Edition models will further complement this system with an in-built reverse camera.

The new Suzuki S-Presso shares its engine with the much-loved Suzuki Celerio. This three-cylinder engine is code-named K10B and offers 50kW at 5 500 r/min and 90Nm of torque at 3 500 r/min, thanks to its use of multi-point fuel injection and four valves per cylinder.

The engine has proven itself in the Celerio, which is a former Budget Car of the Year winner and is highly affordable to service and maintain. With an average fuel consumption of less than 5 litres per 100km, it is also easy on the driver’s budget.

The pricing for the various models are: GL MT (N$ 139 900), GL+ MT (N$144 900), GL+ AMT (N$159 900), GL+ MT S-Edition (N$154 900) and GL+ AMT S-Edition (N$164 900).

For more details, contact Freddie at 081 122 5555 or Charl at 081 168 0968.

Company news in brief

Diageo to boost hand sanitiser supplies

Drinks giant Diageo said Monday it would supply two million litres of alcohol to make anti-bacterial hand sanitiser to boost stocks depleted by the global coronavirus outbreak.

The British-based company, whose brands include Smirnoff vodka, Johnnie Walker whisky and Guinness, said the alcohol would help to make eight million 250ml bottles.

Priority would be given to frontline health professionals battling the spread of the disease, it added.

Ethyl alcohol of 96% strength normally used to make gin and vodka will be made available to Britain and Ireland, the United States, India, Kenya, Italy, Australia, and Brazil.

The move is the latest by drinks companies around the world. – Nampa/AFP

AB InBev scraps 2020 outlook

Anheuser-Busch InBev , the world's largest brewer, said yesterday it was scrapping its 2020 outlook as the scale of the coronavirus increased.

The Belgium-based maker of Budweiser, Stella Artois and Corona had forecast at the end of February that core profit (EBITDA) would decline by 10% in the first quarter and by between 2 and 5% for the full year.

At the time, the coronavirus crisis was largely confined to China.

"Since 27 February 2020, the scale and magnitude of Covid-19 has increased significantly, resulting in restrictions imposed on many customers, as well as other limitations and social distancing measures in many countries in mid-March," the company said in a statement.

The company said it was pressing ahead with a US$11 billion sale to Asahi Group Holdings of its Australian operations and hoped to get regulatory approvals to allow the deal to close as soon as possible in the second quarter of 2020. – Nampa/Reuters

Singapore Air cuts affecting 10 000 staff

Singapore Airlines (SIA) will cut capacity by 96%, ground almost its entire fleet and impose cost cuts affecting about 10 000 staff because of coronavirus travel curbs it described as the "greatest challenge" it has ever faced.

The global aviation industry is struggling to absorb shocks from the pandemic, with airlines across the world grounding fleets, placing thousands of workers on unpaid leave and seeking state bailouts to survive the crisis.

The measures by SIA, majority owned by state investor Temasek, follow Singapore's decision to close its borders to stem spread of the virus.

SIA said it has drawn on its credit lines in the past few days to meet immediate cash flow requirements and is in talks with several financial institutions over future funding needs.

In a memo to staff, SIA chief executive Goh Choon Phong said the airline had agreed with unions on cost-cutting measures, including voluntary unpaid leave for staff up to divisional vice presidents and varying days of compulsory unpaid leave for pilots, executives and associates.

SIA had more than 26 500 employees in its last financial year. – Nampa/Reuters

Citigroup to give some employees US$1 000

Citigroup Inc will provide more than 75 000 employees globally with a special compensation award to help ease the financial burden of the coronavirus pandemic, chief executive Michael Corbat told staff in a memo seen by Reuters.

In the United States, US$1 000 will be provided to eligible colleagues who make US$60 000 or less in base salary, while elsewhere the special award will be based on local market compensation levels, Corbat said in the memo on Monday.

Citi aims to make a "vast majority" of these payments next month.

Employees who are sick, at high risk or unable to work as a result of the outbreak are allowed to take time off without using paid leaves, the memo added.

The bank extended the time frame for the use of carry-over vacation and was also helping with transport needs for employees who have to come in to work. – Nampa/Reuters

Daimler to halt production in Alabama

Daimler is suspending production at its plants in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and Charleston, South Carolina for two weeks starting yesterday, it said.

"Management is monitoring the situation continually and will take further measures if needed. Business will resume once the situation has improved," the German carmaker, which owns the Mercedes-Benz brand, said in a statement yesterday.

Earlier this month the company said it would suspend most of its production in Europe for two weeks in an effort to contain the spread of the new coronavirus. – Nampa/Reuters

Ethiopia seeks billions for African virus response‘Existential threat’ The heavy debt burdens of many African countries leave them ill-equipped to respond to pandemic-related economic shocks. Just as the virus knows no borders, our responses should also know no borders. - Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister: Ethiopia

Robbie Boulet - Ethiopian prime minister Abiy Ahmed yesterday urged G20 leaders to help Africa cope with the coronavirus crisis by facilitating debt relief and providing US$150 billion in emergency funding.

The pandemic "poses an existential threat to the economies of African countries," Abiy's office said in a statement, adding that Ethiopia was "working closely with other African countries" in preparing the aid request.

The heavy debt burdens of many African countries leave them ill-equipped to respond to pandemic-related economic shocks, as the cost of servicing debt exceeds many countries' health budgets, the statement said.

"Just as the virus knows no borders, our responses should also know no borders," it said.

Saudi Arabia, which currently presides over the G20, last week called for a "virtual" summit to coordinate an international response to the coronavirus crisis.

French president Emmanuel Macron's office said Monday that he had spoken by telephone with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping and that the two leaders agreed on the need for emergency talks.

‘Overwhelming’

After lagging behind the global curve for coronavirus infections and deaths, Africa has seen a rise in cases in recent days.

As of Monday night, there were 1 654 reported cases across 43 African countries resulting in 52 deaths, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

Experts warn that the coronavirus could quickly overwhelm weak African health systems.

African economies will also be vulnerable in the face of "a dramatic decline in exports, disruption of global chains, and the sudden drying up of travel and tourism," Abiy's statement said.

Proposals

The proposed US$150-billion aid package could include budgetary support from the World Bank and crisis financing from the International Monetary Fund, the statement said.

To alleviate African debt burdens, Abiy proposed that interest payments on government loans "should be written off" and that "part of the debt of low-income countries should be written off."

The IMF reported last year that seven African countries were in debt distress and that nine, including Ethiopia, were "at high risk of debt distress."

Abiy's proposal comes one day after African finance ministers called for US$100 billion in "immediate emergency economic stimulus" including the waiver of debt interest payments.

Without a coordinated aid effort for the continent, the coronavirus "will have major and adverse implications on African economies and the society at large," according to a statement from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, which is headquartered in Addis Ababa. – Nampa/AFP

MTC rakes in N$800 mln in profitRevenue of N$2.6 bn Dividends declared in 2019 was N$413 million compared to the previous year’s dividends of N$374 million. MTC remains financially sound with no gearing and cash generative, stable earnings and strong shareholder returns. - MTC

Staff reporter - MTC yesterday reported its 2019 results, showing compounding annual growth rates of 4.5% in revenue and a 9.6% in net profit since 2014.

Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) decreased with 10.1% primarily due to the adoption of the new International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) 15 accounting standard.

This effectively changed the way MTC now reports for post-paid subscription revenue, subscription fees, bundled services and additional cost of sales expenses for amounts previously recognised as right of use assets.

This resulted in a reduction in revenue recognised upfront, an increase in the cost of sales upfront and a consequent reduction in gross profit and net profit after tax.

“MTC remains financially sound with no gearing and cash generative, stable earnings and strong shareholder returns,” the company said.

Figures

In 2019 MTC achieved revenue of N$2.6 billion compared to the N$2.4 billion in 2018 and an EBITDA of N$1.345 billion (excluding IFRS 15 estimated of N$1.493 billion) compared to the previous year of N$1.496 billion.

Return on equity for the 2019 financial year was 34.5% compared to the previous year of 41.6% mainly as a result in shareholders equity value.

Dividends declared in 2019 was N$413 million compared to the previous year’s dividends of N$374 million.

MTC generated a total of N$1.3 billion in cash from operations before working capital movements of N$11 million, net interest earned of N$69 million, N$311 million tax paid, with N$581 million free cash flow before financing activities.

Despite tough economic conditions experienced in the Namibian market, MTC recorded N$797 million net profit after tax.

MTC’s strategy going forward will be centred around customer experience and bringing innovative products and services to the market in the interest of its customers.

Speaking at the launch, Dr Licky Erastus, MTC chief executive officer, assured all MTC customers that the company will continue investing in the latest technologies that will make their lives easier.

“We have and will continue to share our financial results publicly in the interest of transparency so that we account to you our most valued customers what we have done with your money,” said Erastus.

Sundowns risk finishing season without Mosimane

KICKOFF

PRETORIA

Mamelodi Sundowns run the risk of finishing the season without a coach if they don't tie Pitso Mosimane to a new deal and the league runs into July.

Sundowns are yet to announce an agreement with Mosimane despite months of negotiations, with his current contract set to expire on 30 June.

With all football suspended indefinitely and the country about to go into lockdown for at least 21 days until 16 April due to the coronavirus outbreak, the Premier Soccer League (PSL) season could finish in June or even later.

The league was due to finish on 9 May, with the Nedbank Cup final pencilled in as the last fixture of the calendar on 23 May.

That will now certainly be pushed into June, and possibly even further depending on the situation in South Africa at the time, with the government likely to extend the national lockdown beyond 21 days if the Covid-19 threat is not contained and controlled effectively.

'Jingles' recently revealed he is only waiting on the club to agree to a few special clauses, believed to be about youth development, and has always insisted the hold-up is not about money.

“I have complied to what Sundowns wanted. I have complied,” he said after his side's CAF Champions League elimination at the hands of Al Ahly earlier this month. “I am waiting for Sundowns now. You can ask Sundowns. I have complied. The ball is in Sundowns' court, not in my court. There is no more 'what is left, what is left'. I am here. I want to be here. I hope I am here.”

Sundowns, who are still in contention for both the Absa Premiership title and Nedbank Cup, will likely aim to conclude negotiations with the 2016 CAF Coach of the Year during the next three weeks while the PSL is suspended.

However, world governing body Fifa is also discussing ways to address the issue of contracts lapsing, as it affects all major leagues, and the PSL will be guided by their decision. It could mean clubs will need to continue paying coaches or players even after their deals have expired.

Boxing gems shattered• Ashikoto to give training instructions via smartphone Young boxers, who had high hopes of making an impact this year, are feeling the brunt of the coronavirus outbreak in Namibia.

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa

WINDHOEK

Power-Power Development and Boxing Academy promoter Risto Ashikoto has revealed that some of his young boxers have been inconsolable since the coronavirus outbreak hit Namibia.

Ashikoto, who mainly deals with young and upcoming boxers, says many feel their careers are over even before they have officially started.

“I can tell you that when I broke the news to these boys that there won't be any training anymore, most of them broke down because they saw boxing as a beacon of hope for them.

“One must understand that most of these boys come from troubled homes and they actually started healing when they joined the academy for boxing,” Ashikoto said.

Shocking 2020

Like many others involved with sport codes and federations around the world, Ashikoto had not imagined that sport would come to a complete halt in 2020.

He said all his plans have been ruined and he could probably end up losing more money than anticipated.

Ashikoto and the academy had plans to travel across Namibia to unearth raw boxing talent in various regions.

“I can assure you that things have turned ugly and this is not what we expected.

“It is a shock to the whole world and I do not know if we will ever recover from this.

“I, however, would like to encourage all people in the sporting industry to remain hopeful and pray that things can better,” he said.

Way forward

As a way to comfort and console his young boxers, Ashikoto promised to give them boxing lessons via cellphone.

He has given an instruction that those with smartphones should record videos of themselves training at home and send them to him, so he can advise his young boxers.

Ashikoto will also use WhatsApp to do some live video training with individuals.

“We have to find every way possible to keep their dreams alive, even if we do not know how long this lockdown will be.

“The most important thing is that these young guys do not lose hope,” Ashikoto added.

Coronavirus: Tourism crumblesMassive job losses, closures on the horizon The sudden halt to income has caused the tourism industry to flatline.

JANA-MARI SMITH

WINDHOEK

Less than 10 days after Namibia’s government announced the first travel restrictions to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, the country’s tourism industry has cratered with mass job losses and company closures on the horizon.

“The Covid-19 crisis has already had significant and far-reaching consequences on the tourism industry,” Bernd Schneider, chairperson of the Federation of Namibian Tourism Associations (Fenata), said this week.

He said the sudden halt to income has caused the industry to flatline and warned that many companies simply don't have the financial reserves in place to weather a zero-income storm.

Schneider underlined that no one in the industry is immune from the pandemic’s disastrous impact.

“It entails everyone, from the smallest companies and individual tour guides to large lodges."

Schneider said the standstill in the tourism industry will lead to devastating ripple effects for the country’s economy, seeing that it was one of the few sectors still performing well during the recession.

To date, there are few indications of how the industry will staunch the deadly blood loss it has sustained.

While tourism umbrella bodies, including Fenata and the Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN), have held several crisis meetings with government and banks over the past weeks, no solutions have been announced.

Schneider warned it will be difficult for Namibian authorities to mimic efforts by fiscally healthier countries that have rolled out support mechanisms for citizens and businesses impacted by the pandemic.

The Namibian tourism sector directly employs 47 000 people, while indirectly 120 000 people's jobs are linked to the sector, including restaurants, vehicle service companies and others.

“The impact is unprecedented. We will unfortunately see that many in the industry, and those who service the industry, will not survive this,” Schneider said.

He added that while preliminary figures on possible job losses and closures of companies are not yet available, the picture looks bleak.

“The only thing that will help anyone through this time, is if somehow they secure sufficient cash flow to weather the storm. And unfortunately, very hard decisions have to be taken now.”

Hold tight

Heinrich Hafeni of Hafeni Tours and Travel, and the owner of a restaurant at the coast, confirmed that his tour operations and restaurant have come to a virtual standstill since last week.

“Hafeni Tours is in the same boat as everyone else. We are thinking about how we will pay the bills next month. The pandemic has caused havoc.”

He said his restaurant has seen only a trickle of customers due to "increasing fear."

Like others in the sector, Hafeni says he has reached out to staff, partners and banks to find ways to survive the coming months without having to close shop entirely.

Major job losses

HAN’s Gitta Paetzold agreed that the industry is facing a “huge test”, stressing that many in tourism face huge overheads, with zero income expected for months.

She said while the goal is for companies to do everything they can to keep their doors open, “given the scope of the crisis we will see many companies fold and close. There will be major job losses.”

Paetzold said the sector is advised to act within the scope of applicable labour laws, but added: “At this stage, we also need to appeal to everyone, including staff and authorities, that extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. The situation is dire, and in a time like this, we all need to support each other.”

In addition to doing everything to protect jobs in the long run, the industry has been advised to relax normal cancellation fees as a move to encourage the postponement of business, rather than wholesale cancellations.

Labour ministry executive director Bro-Matthew Shinguadja this week confirmed that the Labour Act’s section 12 (6) can be invoked “in situations like this.”

The section allows businesses that suffer economically and can no longer afford to pay overheads to reduce an employee’s ordinary working hours and pay for no longer than three months.

Labour experts however advised that employees should be consulted before such steps are taken, noting that in many cases solutions are found that are “simply and widely accepted, which will keep the good spirits between employer and employees alive.”

Singhuadja underlined that the law does not make provision for forced unpaid leave. However, “unpaid leave may be an alternative, provided it is mutually agreed to and so recorded.”

Domestic tourism

Environment and tourism minister Pohamba Shifeta this week confirmed the ministry has met industry players for crisis talks in the past week.

He said the ministry’s technical committee is looking at the suggestions put on the table, but could not yet confirm if any offers to help can be extended by the government.

The minister conceded that this year “will not be good for tourism” and said while it is unclear when the pandemic’s restrictions might be eased worldwide, it is important to remain optimistic about tourism’s future.

The minister nevertheless cautioned against a drive to promote domestic tourism for the next 30 days, “until we are sure there are no internal transmissions”.

Remain hopeful

Fenata’s Schneider underlined that despite the grim reality he believes there “is light at the end of the tunnel. In the aftermath of Covid-19 we have a lot going for us. We are a destination with limited population density, which people will be looking for. And our general reputation as a travel destination has not been tarnished. So, depending on how we position ourselves, how we survive this, getting to the other side might be very positive for us.”

For now, Fenata advises tourism companies to work with staff to find ways how to protect their jobs in the long run, to cut unnecessary expenditure, and to get in touch with banks before cash-flow problems become serious.

Sanitiser, mask prices surgeCompetition Commission warns pharmacies The Namibia Competition Commission has warned pharmacies against unjustified price increases during the coronavirus outbreak.

STAFF REPORTER

WINDHOEK

The Namibia Competition Commission (NaCC) has warned retailers selling hand sanitisers, immune boosters and face masks that it will impose penalties for unjustified price increases amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Fines for excessive pricing and collusive behaviour could be as much as 10% of the retailer's earnings, it warned.

Clean hands

A study undertaken by the commission established that there have been significant price increases on surgical masks, hand sanitisers and immune boosters.

The prices of immune boosters range from N$104 to N$200 at different pharmacies, it found. A 100-millilitre container of hand sanitiser used to cost around N$20 before the first coronavirus cases were reported in Namibia.

“However, that price has since increased to a minimum of N$44 at most pharmacies, subject to the brand and demand at this point in time.In some instances, sanitisers of a similar size are retailing for as much as N$75.”

Masks

The commission discovered that before the coronavirus outbreak, three-ply surgical masks cost around N$10 each and N95 respirators sold for N$100.

“Today, however, retailers are selling the masks at N$75 (three-ply) and N$230 (N95).”

Taking action

The commission said it was in contact with the ministry of trade and would be working with them closely to protect consumers against continued price exploitation.

“The commission is further in discussion with the government to ensure that competition law enforcement does not impede necessary cooperation between businesses to deal with the current crisis and ensure security of supplies of essential products and services to the citizenry.”

Emergency plan for slum dwellers• Funds diverted to battle Covid-19 in Windhoek's informal settlements The poorest areas in Windhoek are expected to be hardest-hit by the coronavirus.

JANA-MARI SMITH

WINDHOEK

Emergency work is under way by a handful of non-profit private organisations to safeguard Windhoek residents living in the city's poorest and most under-resourced areas against Covid-19.

The Development Workshop Namibia (DW-Namibia) and Namibia Chamber of Environment (NCE) last week announced the immediate rerouting of funds from current projects revolving around hepatitis E prevention and other work in informal settlements to initiate a Covid-19 emergency response programme.

Hardest-hit

“Windhoek's informal settlements, with more than 180 000 residents, are likely to be the first and hardest-hit by Covid-19 over the coming weeks in terms of health, and then also economically, as the crisis will unfold,” the DW's notice to stakeholders said.

In a statement, DW-Namibia executive director Beat Weber said the emergency programme will focus on mass information campaigns, the distribution of thousands of handwashing kits and the training and activation of mobile community teams who will reach out to local residents on Covid-19 matters.

DW-Namibia underlined that Covid-19 safety measures that many take for granted will not be easy to implement by residents living in the city's poorest neighbourhoods, where a lack of access to sanitation facilities and fresh water has contributed to a prolonged hepatitis E outbreak since late 2017.

“High population densities make social distancing difficult, and limited access to water and a general lack of good sanitation practices provide challenges for frequent handwashing.”

Resistance

Widespread poverty and “very limited resources will not allow for people to stay at their homes as may be requested when lockdown measures come into effect”, the DW pointed out.

As part of the emergency programme, 10 000 pamphlets are currently being printed and 5 000 health ministry approved posters on Covid-19 preventative measures were distributed from Tuesday via an array of channels, including buses, taxis, supermarkets, shops, shebeens and other public areas.

Yesterday, 2 000 handwashing kits (Tippy Taps) were distributed with two-litre units of concentrated liquid soap.

Twenty mobile teams of community volunteers from the DW-Namibia hepatitis E sanitation programme are currently being trained and 20 megaphones have been ordered from South Africa.

“As soon as we have enough protective equipment, these teams will start touring the informal settlements, providing information to local residents this week.”

As part of phase one, the goal is to distribute at least 20 000 handwashing units, 50 000 pamphlets and 10 000 posters.

The Debmarine-Namdeb Foundation has pledged N$300 000 towards the campaign, and B2Gold has donated 150 facemasks.

Other donor funding is required to acquire the N$5 million needed for the implementation of the first phase, DW-Namibia said.

Lean on

Last year DW-Namibia, NCE and local and international partners, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the health ministry, the government of Japan and others implemented the Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) initiative in an effort to curb the prolonged hepatitis E outbreak in two of the hardest-hit areas - the Moses Garoeb and Samora Machel constituencies in Windhoek.

The CLTS programme is aimed at encouraging communities to construct their own latrines, in line with municipal guidelines.

By mid-February eight sanitation centres had been built in both constituencies, and the construction of a further 25 sanitation centres are under way.

These sanitation centres and the mobile information activities around them led to a total of 35 owner-built toilets that were completed or are under construction.

DW-Namibia's decision to reroute funding from the current operational priorities will lean on the infrastructure put in place by the CLTS programme, including more than 100 community-based volunteers and a strong partner network.

City denies paying through nose for toilets

OGONE TLHAGE

WINDHOEK

The City of Windhoek has denied paying N$15 million for the construction of 25 public toilets that were handed over to residents last week.

The Namibia Press Agency last week reported that the municipality had handed over toilets costing N$15 million to the communities of Sonderwater and informal settlements in the Khomasdal constituency.

“The City would like to correct misleading claims that it spent N$15 million to build 25 communal toilets. The 25 pre-fabricated toilets were supplied for N$243 687.50 while N$744 483.44 was spent on works, which included the supply of water to the toilets, the installation of sewer lines from existing pipelines, site preparation and the construction of levelling slabs where the toilets were installed,” it said. The total came to N$987 852, which means an average price of N$39 514 per toilet. “The cost of construction of the water and sewerage services from the existing municipal services to the location of the toilets varies substantially for each toilet, unless they are in close vicinity of each other,” the City said. The variations were because of the distance to the nearest municipal services, the topography of the site and the subsoil conditions when excavating, the City further explained. The toilets were built as part of a planned construction drive involving 267 communal toilets the City plans to build in the constituencies of Tobias Hainyeko, Moses Garoeb, Samora Machel, Khomasdal, Katutura East and Windhoek Rural.

Air Nam, Westair grounded

JEMIMA BEUKES

WINDHOEK

Local airlines Air Namibia and Westair have suspended all their international, domestic and regional passenger flights.

Westair's suspension would be effective from yesterday until 18 April, said its CEO Henry Van Schalkwyk.

According to him their Cape Town flight on Sunday, 22 March was their last international flight.

“We are still doing medical evacuations and cargo flights and will still be supporting the local mines that need assistance. This decision will be reviewed as the situation changes,” he said.

Air Namibia

Air Namibia's suspension will be in effect from Friday, 27 March until 20 April 2020, including their long-haul flights that were suspended on 14 March.

This was announced in a media statement by Air Namibia spokesperson Paulus Nakawa.

“As part of the essential services, Air Namibia remains available to offer air transport through charter flights for humanitarian purposes, as well as to airlift pharmaceutical supplies and consumables, among others.

“Air Namibia has introduced flexible rebooking options for travellers who need to change their travel dates. All tickets purchased for travel up to 30 April 2020 will be offered one free change to a new travel date until 31 December 2020.”

These suspensions follow hot on the heels of travel restrictions imposed by President Hage Geingob to slow down the spread of the coronavirus outbreak.

Namibia's fuel stocks sufficientOil glut in world markets Namibians need not worry about a fuel shortage because of the coronavirus lockdown, the authorities have promised.

OGONE TLHAGE

WINDHOEK

The ministry of mines and energy says there is sufficient fuel to supply the country during the lockdown which starts tonight at midnight. A state of emergency was declared last week by President Hage Geingob as a measure to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

Petrol commissioner Maggy Shino yesterday said there was no reason for panic about fuel supplies during the partial lockdown, which will severely restrict travel into and out of the Khomas and Erongo regions.

“We indeed have an abundant supply of fuel for the period of the lockdown. If the lockdown period is extended, we have put in measures to ensure that the security of supply is not affected,” Shino said.

Strategic stockpile

A National Petroleum Commission of Namibia (Namcor) official told Namibian Sun that an assessment had been done of how much fuel would be required for it to supply its customers in the oil industry. The official added that fuel imports were seen as critical and would not be stopped from entering the country.

International situation

The same cannot be said for Uganda, which is battling fuel supply shortages.

Finance minister Matia Kasaija says Uganda's fuel reserves are drying up as the quota it imports through Kenya's seaport of Mombasa has been reduced, the East African reported. Kasaija said the country was in talks with Kenya over its dwindling fuel supplies.

“We have raised the issues with the Kenyan authorities and we are doing everything possible to ensure the supply of petrol and diesel is sorted,” Kasaija said.

He attributed the reduction to the global outbreak of the novel coronavirus that has forced oil producers in the Middle East to reduce supplies.

Abundant oil

Reuters reported recently that millions of barrels of oil are struggling to find buyers among industrial users and refiners, who have cut operations as the impact of the coronavirus has destroyed demand and a Saudi-Russia market share battle has led to a flood of supply.

Fuel storage rates doubled this month in some onshore European and United States hubs as traders rushed to secure tanks in the hope of selling their products at a higher price when the coronavirus outbreak eases and demand recovers.

Focus on the poor! While those of us privileged enough to work and earn salaries rush to stock up for the immediate lockdown of the economic powerhouse regions of Khomas and Erongo, amid elevated fears and precautions brought on by the coronavirus, the poorest among us remain the most vulnerable.

Those with farms are privileged enough to send their kids and family members there. Those who have the means can continue to flock to shops to buy supplies needed for the long haul.

Yet, families in the poorest areas of our nation remain sitting ducks who can ill afford to buy the barest of necessities, let alone pay inflated prices for sanitisers or even medicine for the common cold. They depend on government services.

They live from hand to mouth, and with measures becoming more stringent and expected to impact informal livelihoods, the concept of feeding their children during this time is becoming the stuff of nightmares.

What is needed is a wholesale focus on the poorest of the poor, so they can survive this torrid period in our history. We are looking forward to a raft of measures during the new finance minister’s budget speech next week. Top of mind should be getting the poorest and most vulnerable through this crisis.

Ondangwa spurns 'patriotic' cleaning offerIndependent candidate won't give up An independent politician says the Ondangwa town council has refused her help to clean up the town's open market, which she believes is a coronavirus hazard.

ILENI NANDJATO

OSHAKATI

The Ondangwa town council has turned down an offer by former Ondangwa Urban constituency by-election independent candidate Angelina Immanuel to clean up the town's open market.

Immanuel said she visited the open market last week and found it filthy, with no visible coronavirus prevention measures. She then started collecting donations of cleaning materials.

Rebuffed

“On Tuesday I had a meeting with the Ondangwa CEO to inform them of our Omatala cleaning campaign but he declined my patriotic act toward my town,” Immanuel said.

“When I approached the town health inspector's office, they informed me that the hand-washing buckets had arrived the previous day but because President Hage Geingob had declared a state of emergency they might not distribute them because the open market might be closing. Immanuel said closing the market would have a big impact on the community because 60% of the residents depend on it. She said Ondangwa CEO Ismael Namgongo told her that the council had employed cleaners for the open market.

Will continue

Immanuel said it was not the first time that her efforts to clean up the town had been rejected.

“Remember when I wanted to clean the town council building and they rejected it? We went ahead and cleaned Ondangwa. This will definitely not end.

She said there was no turning back and she would continue to hand out cleaning materials to vendors at the market.

“I informed the CEO that the cleaning will then be done by the people in the open market while I will provide them with sanitisers,” she said.

Council responds

Namgongo said it was the council's responsibility to take care of the open market and they would not allow individuals to do it on their behalf.

He said the council has qualified health inspectors who are conducting public education on the coronavirus pandemic.

“As an activist Immanuel's responsibility is to notify us if she sees the open market is filthy so that we can clean up. We cannot allow her clean the open market because vendors have their property there and we have to protect them and that is why there are security officers,” Namgongo said

“We also cannot give her permission to distribute sanitisers. We don't know where she gets them from and their authenticity.”

Germans evacuated from NamibiaCrew exempted from strict quarantine regime With the partial lockdown of key regions of Namibia coming into effect tomorrow, the European country proactively flew back its citizens yesterday.

OGONE TLHAGE

WINDHOEK

The German government yesterday evacuated its 186 citizens from Namibia before the country's borders are slammed shut tomorrow as part of combating the further spread of coronavirus.

The chartered Air Europa flight from Windhoek proceeded to South Africa - where a national lockdown goes into effect today - to pick up 147 German citizens.

The Germans were evacuated with the involvement of Namibia's ministries of health, home affairs and international relations.

This happened after a series of letters were exchanged between government and the German embassy in Namibia, which was uncompromising in ensuring its citizens safely return to Europe.

Among the seven cases of coronavirus infections reported in Namibia is a German tourist who arrived in the country via Zimbabwe.

In a letter sent to the ministry of international relations, the German embassy in Windhoek requested permission for an overnight chartered flight that landed at Hosea Kutako International Airport on Tuesday and departed yesterday afternoon.

The embassy asked that the 11 crew members - three flight crew and 8 cabin crew members - on the flight out of Madrid, Spain, be exempted from Namibia's current quarantine regulations.

Permission was granted to exempt the crew from the 14-day quarantine period that Namibia is currently implementing, with the crew whisked away to Ondekaremba lodge located eight kilometres east of Windhoek.

In its request, the German embassy stated that the crew operating the flight would be accommodated at the Ondekaremba Lodge for the duration of their stay and that they would be quarantined there for 12 hours in order to rest.

“The embassy would like to request that the esteemed ministry grant an exemption from the travel ban as well as quarantine time for all 12 crew members/staff of the airline and would permit them to stay at Ondekaremba Lodge, outside Windhoek,” the letter said.

The ministry of international relations confirmed the request from the German embassy and said the flight departed from Namibia yesterday afternoon.

Crew isolated

“They [German government] got permission to land in Namibia. The crew was isolated and placed under self-quarantine. The passengers boarded the plane yesterday afternoon and left for Germany,” said Sabine Böhlke-Möller, the ministry's director of bilateral relations.

She added that the ministry of health had given assurances that the flight crew did not come into contact with anybody in Namibia.

The airline was expected to collect more passengers in South Africa before returning to Europe.

No other evacuation requests

According to Böhlke-Möller, no further requests had been made by other countries regarding the repatriation of their citizens from Namibia.

Namibia has reported seven confirmed cases of coronavirus infection so far.

Pressure upped on payment holidays

JEMIMA BEUKES

WINDHOEK

The ministry of finance will engage local commercial banks over the possibility of payment holidays to give Namibians relief during the partial lockdown that comes into effect tomorrow.

Namibian Sun understands that the Banking Association of Namibia (BAN) yesterday met with the Bank of Namibia (BoN) in what is thought to be an attempt to weigh such holidays.

“Discussions have started, led by the finance minister [Iipumbu Shiimi],” a banking source said yesterday.

Socio-economic activist Job Amupanda has also written a letter to BoN, asking the central bank to urge all commercial banks to help ease the burden on Namibians affected during the lockdown of the country’s two economic hubs, Khomas and Erongo.

Many small businesses are expected to close, while street vendors have already been ordered to remove their wares from the streets.

Amupanda’s plea was sparked by a decision by three commercial banks in South Africa, which offered borrowers payment holidays.

Nedbank South Africa said it would support its clients with suitable individual solutions to cash-flow challenges they might experience as a result of Covid-19, which extend to any loan agreements they have with the bank.

In a letter to BoN deputy governor Ebson Uanguta, Amupanda urged that the central bank go a step further by leading an intervention applicable to all banks instead of private initiatives by individual banks.

“We can do it. I am aware, and indeed appreciate, the measures already taken by the bank in terms of repo rates. The situation, however, requires us to go further. It does not need explanation and elaboration how this important measure impacts individuals’ and companies’ ability to service the loans they have with commercial banks that are yet to come to the table with a significant contribution during this crisis,” he said.

Meanwhile, talks are under way between the government and the financial sector to find solutions to the financial implications of the coronavirus outbreak.

This was confirmed by finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi, who said these talks may extend beyond the financial sector.

“As soon as these consultations are finalised, we will inform accordingly. We need to find a balance, because the money that is in the commercial banks belongs to you. How do you structure the loans so that you would still be able to repay the loans afterwards?” he said.

When he announced new travel restrictions on Tuesday evening, President Hage Geingob announced that a solidarity fund had been established to assist the most vulnerable Namibians. The details are still being worked out.

jemima@namibiansun.com

Land Rover, world champ celebrate jubilee50 years of Range Rover World heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua OBE experienced the extreme conditions of Arjeplog. Nothing can match its combination of comfort and capability. - Anthony Joshua, World heavyweight champion

Land Rover has celebrated the Range Rover golden jubilee by creating a giant piece of sub-zero art at its cold weather test facility in Arjeplog, close to the Arctic circle in Sweden.

The 260m-wide artwork filled the centre of the steering pad at the test track where all future Land Rover models are put through their paces during development.

Land Rover’s Arjeplog facility uses a frozen lake to provide the perfect conditions for engineers to test and assess the latest models. Renowned snow artist Simon Beck created the 53 092 sq m anniversary logo by walking more than 45 000 steps across the powdery surface inside the steering pad, accompanied by a quartet of the latest Range Rover SV models.

Since 2014 the expert engineers, craftsmen and women at Special Vehicle Operations have been responsible for designing and producing the fastest, most luxurious and most exclusive Range Rover models in the luxury SUV’s 50-year history. The elevated luxury, performance and capability of the SV family represent the pinnacle of Range Rover development.

Arjeplog is also home to the Jaguar Land Rover Ice Academy, where customers experience the thrill of dynamic ice driving, under careful instruction from world-class driving experts.

Heavyweight

World heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua OBE experienced the extreme conditions as part of the celebrations, where he learned the art of winter driving under the expert supervision of academy instructors.

World heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua, said: “I’m really looking forward to June because the Range Rover family will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of one of Britain’s finest exports and I’ll be defending my world title belts.

“I’ll be travelling to my fight with Kubrat Pulev in London on 20 June in my new personalised Range Rover SVAutobiography and I can’t think of a better way arrive. Nothing can match its combination of comfort and capability – I guess that’s what you get after five decades of experience.”

The luxurious Range Rover family will mark 50 years of pioneering innovation and peerless refinement in June, on the anniversary of the introduction of the two-door Range Rover in 1970. Since then, the Range Rover Sport, Range Rover Evoque and Range Rover Velar have expanded the family into a four-strong line-up of the world’s most desirable and advanced SUVs.

‘Most desirable luxury SUV’

The original Range Rover was the four-wheel drive SUV that introduced anti-lock brakes, electronic Traction Control and Automatic Electronic Air Suspension while the 2012 Range Rover pioneered aluminium body architecture in large SUVs.

In 2015 the Range Rover was the first vehicle to be fitted with Land Rover’s innovative All-Terrain Progress Control – now available across the Land Rover line-up.

Prof Gerry McGovern OBE, chief creative officer, Land Rover, said: “Over five decades the Range Rover has evolved into the most desirable luxury SUV in the world. Its peerless combination of sophisticated design, refinement and capability has struck an emotional chord with customers all over the globe.”

The team of skilled engineers and designers at Land Rover SV have applied their unique expertise to a succession of Range Rover models and four examples were available in Arjeplog for Joshua to try, as he learned to circle the slippery 260m-diameter steering pad and negotiate the various ice tracks carved into the frozen lake. - MotorPress

Company news in brief

Sasol to bid to supply Eskom with power

South Africa's Sasol will bid to provide struggling state-owned utility Eskom with temporary supplies of power, the petrochemical producer told Reuters on Tuesday.

On Monday, Eskom published a request for proposals (RFP) on a government tender website inviting bids from existing generating plants with at least 5 megawatts (MW) of spare capacity to supplement its own supplies.

Sasol, the world's top manufacturer of motor fuel from coal, said it could supply Eskom with up to 50 MW of power, subject to maintenance requirements and natural gas availability.

Sasol can generate power at its Sasolburg and Secunda plants from gas, as well as from steam turbine generators integrated within its operations.

The RFP stated that the maximum contract period for the power purchase agreement with Eskom would be 36 months. Eskom has previously procured power from companies including Sasol during times of crisis. – Nampa/Reuters

Kia Motors may make face masks

South Korea's Kia Motors Corp is considering making face masks at its Chinese

factory to help battle the spread of the coronavirus, a spokesman said yesterday.

The announcement follows a similar move by Fiat Chrysler , whose CEO Mike Manley said earlier this week that one of the group's plants in Asia would be converted to produce face masks for healthcare workers and would reach a target of one million masks per month in coming weeks.

Kia could make masks at its Yancheng plant after the Chinese government encouraged carmakers to do so, the spokesman said. He declined to comment on possible timing or any manufacturing target.

Kia has suspended production at its Georgia plant in the United States, its Slovakia site and operations in India due to the coronavirus pandemic. – Nampa/Reuters

Qantas secures financing deal

Qantas Airways Ltd yesterday secured A$1.05 billion (US$627.8 million) against its aircraft fleet to help it ride out the coronavirus crisis, sending shares up 30%, as airlines in the Asia-Pacific region sliced away capacity and jobs.

The Qantas financing of seven Boeing Co 787-9s for up to 10 years at a 2.75% interest rate showed there is still low-cost funding available to airlines with strong fundamentals, even as the global industry calls for more government aid to help replace an estimated US$250 billion of lost revenue in 2020.

Qantas has cut all international flights and put two-thirds of its 30 000 staff on leave but so far has maintained its investment-grade credit rating.

It is continuing with a costly programme to upgrade the interior of its grounded Airbus SE A380 super-jumbos, in an expression of confidence demand will eventually return to normal.

Other airlines in the region are also looking at ways to raise cash beyond government aid. – Nampa/Reuters

Renault to make medical visors

Renault workers in Spain have begun using 3D printers to manufacture visors for health workers from home, the French carmaker said on Tuesday, in a scheme that could be expanded to make other medical equipment elsewhere.

The move, which echoes experiments under way at other carmakers to find ways to boost production of medical equipment up to and including ventilators, is still small-scale, while shortages in Spain and elsewhere are acute.

Employees sent home because of factory closures have made around 50 mask supports, which are then completed by inserting acetate sheets that shield the face, the company said.

An engineer at the firm said it might be even able to use 3D printers in France to make parts for ventilators, vital for treating severely ill coronavirus patients.

Another French car manufacturer, PSA, said it was working with Air Liquide to look for ways to help the industrial gas maker increase its ventilator production. – Nampa/Reuters

Netflix, Facebook to cut data traffic

Streaming service Netflix Inc and social media giant Facebook Inc said on Tuesday they would reduce the amount of data their services use to ease congested telecoms networks in India, were millions are using home internet amid a lockdown to contain the coronavirus outbreak.

Netflix will reduce traffic over Indian telecom networks by 25% over the next 30 days, the company said in a statement, following similar moves in Europe to help internet service providers experiencing a surge in usage.

The producer of original shows such as "The Crown" and "Sex Education", Netflix has over 16 million paying users in the Asia-Pacific region, but it does not disclose subscriber figures for India.

Facebook said it will temporarily reduce bit rates, or cut picture quality, for videos on Facebook and Instagram in India, the company's biggest market by number of users.

India has enforced lockdowns across several cities, with prime minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announcing a nationwide shutdown from midnight for 21 days to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

Mobile networks are likely to come under increased pressure as people increasingly use home internet to work and stream online content. – Nampa/Reuters

SA’s central bank starts buying bondsTaking QE route The Reserve Bank has long resisted public and political pressure to intervene more directly in providing stimulus. We've got a lot of room to cut, about 5% of ammunition. - Wayne McCurrie, Portfolio manager: FNB

Mfuneko Toyana - South Africa's central bank yesterday launched a bond buying programme, seeking to drum up demand in credit markets as the coronavirus epidemic weighs on the country's already ailing economy.

The Reserve Bank (SARB) has long resisted public and political pressure to intervene more directly in providing stimulus. Yesterday's move brings it into line with major central banks across the developed world that have run large-scale asset purchase programmes.

South Africa's economy will come under increasing pressure as it enters a 21-day national lockdown from today, ordered by president Cyril Ramaphosa in response to the spread of Covid-19, of which more than 700 confirmed cases have been registered, but as yet no deaths.

The country's bond market has been short of buyers since February, while daily sales of sovereign debt have regularly topped R4 billion, including a record R12.8 billion on March 2.

The bank said it would buy bonds of varying maturities in the secondary market, without giving further details.

The move should boost the take-up of government debt and make it easier for commercial banks to fund their operations.

More rate cuts

Duma Gquble, an independent economist, said it amounted to quantitative easing, "something we've called for for a long time."

"We're headed to an era where the separation of fiscal and monetary policy doesn't make sense anymore," he said.

South African banks and financial firms have in recent weeks seen a sharp increase in redemptions of short-term funds, as well as higher margin calls, while primary dealers - who buy government securities to sell on the secondary market – have struggled for buyers.

"The bond market had dried up completely, there were no buyers in sight, just sellers," said FNB portfolio manager Wayne McCurrie.

The bank delivered a surprise 100 basis point cut to its main lending rate last Thursday to help the economy, and said it stood poised to cut further if market volatility continued.

Adrian Saville, head of Canon Assets, said that was on the cards in coming weeks.

"We've got a lot of room to cut, about 5% of ammunition," he said.

"We're looking at a budget deficit in 10% territory after this passes. But in the meantime the SARB has latitude to be far more aggressive, even leaning into the world of helicopter money and giving every South African ‘x’ amount for the next three months."

In its statement yesterday, the bank also said it would offer repurchase agreements, or repos, for between seven days and 12 months. – Nampa/Reuters

Corona Watch

South Africa

South African officials sought to identify quarantine sites across the country yesterday, as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases rose to 709 from 554 and the health minister warned infections were expected to keep rising.

Public works minister Patricia de Lille told more than 16 000 beds in potential quarantine facilities, including government buildings, hotels, holiday properties and hospitals have been identified. - Nampa/Reuters

Zimbabwe

Customs officials at Zimbabwe's biggest airport stopped reporting for work yesterday, fearing exposure to coronavirus and a lack of measures to prevent its spread, their union said.

The Zimbabwe Doctors Hospital Association (ZDHA) said its members at Harare Central Hospital yesterday withdrew their services due to lack of protective clothing to handle coronavirus patients. – Nampa/Reuters

Mali

Mali announced its first two cases of novel coronavirus yesterday, to fears that the war-torn and impoverished West African state will struggle to handle an outbreak.

Two Malian nationals who arrived from France in mid-March tested positive for the virus, the government said.

All of Mali's seven neighbouring countries have also declared coronavirus cases. – Nampa/AFP

Morocco

Morocco has authorised hospitals to use antimalarial drugs in treating the new coronavirus, according to a document seen by AFP, as scientists urge caution over encouraging results from small trials.

The Moroccan health ministry on Monday gave hospitals and regional health directors the green light to start using hydroxychloroquine and related compound chloroquine "in the care of confirmed Covid-19 cases".

Studies in France and China have found that the drug helped patients suffering from the Covid-19 illness, and France on Monday ordered its use in severe cases. – Nampa/Reuters

Egypt

A small black market in the Egyptian pound has re-emerged in the last few days as the coronavirus takes a toll on the country's main sources of foreign currency, three bankers and businessmen said on Monday.

Some unofficial trades were taking place at 16.15 pounds to the US dollar, compared to the 15.75 pounds offered by currency exchange bureaus and banks, they said. – Nampa/Reuters