Namibian Sun

Auas G-wagon lookalike revealedProminent exterior features The car has strong character lines and prominent exterior features, such as the muscular front grill, striking front and rear bumpers.

Phillepus Uusiku

Auas Motors revealed an inclusive range of SUZUKI vehicles across their social media pages, and there was a specific G-wagon lookalike that stole everyone’s attention and here is what you don’t know about the daring Suzuki S-Presso.

Its bold with a sporty profile, combined with a tall and powerful stance ensuring it commands all the attention wherever you go. The car’s strong character lines and prominent exterior features, such as the muscular front grill, striking front and rear bumpers, distinct headlamp and rear lamp design add to its charming appearance.

With all this packaging, you will never miss its presence on the road. With a bold design, robust stance that radiates vibrant energy, its attractive SUV styling and 180mm ground clearance, the S-Presso brings alive every place in the city it ventures to.

It’s a car built for you to take on your own road and do what reflects you. Every drive in this city slicking or dirt road travelling SUV, is a self-expression of the zesty spirit that defines you. Hop into the S-Presso, and do life your way.

You’ll always be in a good mood when doing you to your favourite hip hop, pop, rock, jazz or even reggae track in the S-Presso. Thanks to its 7" infotainment system with smartphone integration and reverse camera (GL+ and S-Edition only).

Super safe, the S-Presso lets nothing hinder you from reaching what you set out for. And it does this by keeping you protected on every road you take. With a host of exceptional safety features like ABS, EBD and dual airbags, the S-Presso takes care of you while you enjoy the drive.

The invigorating experience of the S-Presso is a combination of driving performance and convenience. With a playful engine and other advanced features, you’re free to do fast or slow, uphill or downhill. And because comfort matters, it has a spacious cabin and ample shoulder room.

KIA reveals new designHigh-performance fastback sports sedan The new lamps appear darker and sleeker with the lights out, while giving the car a more high-tech light signature, with sharp slashes of light. The Stinger projects an air of elegance and comfort, and also great purpose, for long distance driving. Karim Habib, senior vice president: of KIA Global Design

KIA Motors Corporation has released the first images of the upgraded KIA Stinger, revealing a refreshed design for the high-performance fastback sports sedan.

Changes to the appearance of the enhanced model amplify its gran turismo character, while improving cabin quality and giving owners more choice of colour and material.

The upgraded model boasts a range of design updates, inside and out. Outside, the changes add a new touch of drama to the car’s design and give buyers more options for customization; inside, the upgraded Stinger offers a more comfortable space in which to travel, with a revised design, new higher-quality materials, and updates to the infotainment system.

Karim Habib, senior vice president of KIA Global Design notes that the Stinger projects an air of elegance and comfort, and also great purpose, for long distance driving.

The updated model builds on the svelte gran turismo design we introduced three years ago with modern flair and a subtle hint of aggression to enhance its on-road presence. The interior, too, has been enhanced, and the new design elements and technologies incorporated into the Stinger reconfirm its credentials as the consummate grand tourer.”

At the front of the Stinger, KIA’s signature ‘tiger-nose’ grille sits between new multifaceted reflector LED headlamps, with a new design and LED daytime running lights.

The new lamps appear darker and sleeker with the lights out, while giving the car a more high-tech light signature, with sharp slashes of light angled slightly towards the front of the car.

At the rear, a svelte new rear combination lamp displays a distinctive new light signature, extending the full width of the car and mimicking the shape of the subtle spoiler integrated into the trunk lid. The new turn signals comprise a collection of 10 individual LED units each, arranged in a grid pattern to mimic the appearance of a checkered flag, used in motorsport to signal the end of a race.

High performance

Buyers of more powerful examples of the Stinger now have the option to specify larger wide-bore bright silver exhaust mufflers, with a more purposeful, performance-inspired rear diffuser to give the car a more muscular rear appearance.

Two new 18-inch and 19-inch aluminium alloy wheels are also introduced, with intricate, geometric designs which enhance the sporty, grand tourer nature of the car. The Stinger is now available with a new exterior colour in many markets worldwide.

Two new exterior packages are also introduced for the first time. For high-performance variants in many markets worldwide, a new ‘Dark Package’ brings with it a gloss black diffuser surround and black wide-bore muffler tips. The Stinger emblem on the tailgate is also finished in black.

For North America, a new ‘Black Package’ is offered, giving customization fans the chance to enhance the aesthetics of the Stinger further with an aggressive new look. The Black Package includes new 19-inch matte black lightweight wheels, a new rear wing for the trunk lid, and blacked out mirror caps and side fender trim.

While the architecture of the cabin in the upgraded Stinger remains unchanged, with a sweeping, driver-oriented dash and comfortable space for up to five occupants, it boasts a range of subtle enhancements. These visual and material upgrades are designed to improve the car’s grand touring ability, creating a more luxurious ambience.

The lower section of the steering wheel features a new metallic finish, matching the chrome bezel that now surrounds the 7.0-inch fully-digital instrument cluster. - MotorPress

Sanitation at schools a concern• Half of schools lack basic sanitation Global school closures since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic have presented an unprecedented challenge to children's education, a United Nations agency says.

ELLANIE SMIT

WINDHOEK

As schools worldwide struggle with reopening, a global report on sanitation reveals that 43% of schools around the world lacked access to basic handwashing with soap and water in 2019, a key condition for schools to be able to operate safely in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

The report on drinking water, sanitation and hygiene in schools was published by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef).

“Global school closures since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic have presented an unprecedented challenge to children's education and wellbeing,” said Henrietta Fore, Unicef executive director.

“We must prioritise children's learning.

“This means making sure that schools are safe to reopen – including with access to hand hygiene, clean drinking water and safe sanitation.” According to the report, around 818 million children lack basic handwashing facilities at their schools, which puts them at increased risk of the coronavirus and other transmittable diseases.

More than one third of these children, 295 million, are from sub-Saharan Africa.

Handwashing

The report noted that in the least developed countries, seven out of ten schools lack basic handwashing facilities and half of the schools lack basic sanitation and water services.

It stressed that governments seeking to control the spread of the coronavirus must balance the need for implementation of public health measures versus the associated social and economic impacts of lockdown measures. It added that evidence of the negative impacts of prolonged school closures on children's safety, wellbeing and learning are well-documented. “Access to water, sanitation and hygiene services is essential for effective infection prevention and control in all settings, including schools,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general.

“It must be a major focus of government strategies for the safe reopening and operation of schools during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.”

Of the 818 million children who lacked a basic handwashing service at their school, 355 million went to schools which had facilities with water but no soap, and 462 million to schools which had no facilities or water available for handwashing.

Drinking water

The report found that one in three schools worldwide had either limited drinking water service or no drinking water service at all, while 698 million children lacked basic sanitation services at their school.

“Improved and usable toilets were also the limiting factor in recent surveys in Malawi and Namibia, whereas in Lebanon, Costa Rica and Cambodia the constraint was access to single-sex improved toilets,” according to the report. It said that of 87 schools in Namibia where toilet facilities were surveyed, 77 schools had improved toilets, 49 schools had improved and useable toilets, 72 schools had single-sex improved toilets and 46 schools had only basic toilet facilities. Namibia was also highlighted in the report as one of the countries where many schools still lack access to toilets for children with disabilities.

Company news in brief

Exxaro: Eskom withdraws force majeure

South African coal company Exxaro Resources said on Friday that Eskom had lifted force majeure on coal supply contracts to the state-owned utility's Medupi and Matimba power stations.

Eskom had issued letters calling force majeure on the coal supply agreements with Exxaro's unit for the period starting April 16 until one month after a national lockdown to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic had been completely lifted.

"As Eskom has been taking coal in accordance with the terms of the supply agreements, the impact of the force majeure event has been largely neutralised," Exxaro, which is one of Eskom's main coal suppliers, said in a statement.

Force majeure is an event referring to unexpected external circumstances that prevent a party to a contract from meeting their obligations. – Nampa/Reuters

Sibanye-Stillwater expects H1 profit

South Africa's Sibanye-Stillwater expects to swing to a profit in the first half of 2020, boosted by higher precious metals prices and a weaker rand currency, the miner said on Friday, sending its shares up sharply.

The precious metals producer, said headline earnings per share (HEPS) for the six months to June is expected to be 350 cents compared with a loss per share of 54 cents a year earlier when it was hit by strikes.

Sibanye said the inclusion of the Marikana operations, higher metals prices and a weaker rand currency helped partially offset foreign exchange losses and the impact of Covid-19 lockdown regulations on output.

South African gold miners have rallied as investors rushed to buy shares in the export-oriented companies which do well when the rand depreciates against the US dollar.

The company said production from its South African gold operations during the half-year increased by 17% 403 621 ounces, while platinum group metal (PGM) output from South Africa was 5% higher year-on-year at 657 828 ounces. – Nampa/Reuters

Vaccine developer CureVac debuts on Nasdaq

Shares of German biotechnology firm CureVac BV nearly tripled in their Nasdaq debut on Friday, marking the first stock market debut of a company developing a potential vaccine to combat the coronavirus.

The stock opened at US$44 per share, up from the IPO price of US$16 per share.

CureVac, backed by Microsoft Corp founder and billionaire Bill Gates, sold 13.33 million shares at US$16 apiece, the top end of its indicated price range of between US$14 and US$16 per share.

The company raised US$213.3 million in the IPO.

CureVac is researching how to use messenger RNA to treat a series of diseases, including the coronavirus. It is an experimental approach that has also been adopted by some of its peers, including Moderna Inc and BioNTech SE. – Nampa/Reuters

Daimler agrees to US$ 3 bn diesel settlements

Daimler said on Thursday it has reached agreements costing nearly US$3 billion to settle civil investigations by US regulators and lawsuits from vehicle owners stemming from a long-running probe into software to cheat diesel emissions tests.

The settlements in principle address civil and environmental claims tied to 250 000 US diesel passenger cars and vans in the United States and include claims from the Environmental Protection Agency, Justice Department, California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the California Attorney General’s Office.

The German carmaker said it expects the costs of the settlements with US authorities will total US$1.5 billion, settling with owners will cost about US$700 million and "further expenses of a mid three-digit-million EUR [euro] amount to fulfill requirements of the settlements."

The maker of Mercedes-Benz cars said it expects an impact on its free cash flow over the next three years as a result, with the main impact within the next 12 months. – Nampa/Reuters

Rosneft back in profit in second quarter

Russia's largest oil producer Rosneft made a second-quarter profit of 43 billion roubles after reporting a loss in the previous three months thanks to a rise in oil prices, it said on Friday.

Rosneft, headed by Igor Sechin, a long-standing ally of president Vladimir Putin, is the first big Russian oil company to report financial results for the second quarter, when the oil prices started to recover after hitting a 21-year low in April.

The oil market, under pressure from overproduction and the fallout from the coronavirus crisis, has been on a recovery path thanks to a global deal between OPEC and other leading oil producers, including Russia, to cut oil production.

The company, which accounts for more than 40% of Russia's total oil output, said it produced 4.04 million barrels of oil per day (bpd) in the second quarter, down 13% from the previous quarter, due to the global output reduction deal.

Rosneft gave a dollar figure of US$700 million for its earnings in the first quarter. Rosneft said the conversion was calculated using average monthly Central Bank of Russia exchange rates for the reporting period. – Nampa/Reuters

Contractor stalls completion of Kavango West isolation facility

KENYA KAMBOWE

RUNDU

An electrical contractor appointed last month to complete the Nkurenkuru Primary Healthcare Centre, which is supposed to become the Kavango West Region's Covid-19 isolation facility, is not yet on site.

This means that Kavango East will have to accommodate the confirmed Covid-19 cases from its sister region.

Last month Namibian Sun reported that new contractors had been appointed to complete the outstanding work on the clinic, which was supposed to have commissioned five years ago.

The outstanding work includes the installation of electrical wiring, fire detection, telecommunication, data and Private Automatic Branch Exchange (PABX) services, air-conditioning and cold-room equipment, medical gas supply and a standby generator. The installations can only start once the electrical wiring is complete.

Logistics

However, when contacted for comment on the progress of the project, Kavango's chief medical officer, Dr Abiola Adesina, said no progress had been made because the contractor was experiencing logistical problems.

He could not indicate when the issue will be resolved.

“The contractors have not started with the project. The delay is from the contractors. They are experiencing challenges and we are just waiting on them. The contractor who should do the electrical installation is delaying others,” Adesina said.

Kavango West has recorded two confirmed coronavirus cases so far. Both patients are under supervised isolation at the Rundu State Hospital in the Kavango East Region because Kavango West has no isolation facility.

Kavango West leaders fuming

Over the years, national and regional leaders have visited the project and demanded that it be completed, yet nothing happened after their visits, which left residents furious.

In 2017, former vice-president Nicky Iyambo visited the project and appealed that it be completed.

Last year, health minister Kalumbi Shangula toured the Kavango West Region and visited the Nkurenkuru clinic project.

In 2014, former president Hifikepunye Pohamba officiated at the groundbreaking for the envisaged Nkurenkuru District Hospital. That project is yet to be completed and much of the work is still outstanding.

For the past four years, Kavango West governor Sirkka Ausiku has appealed for the completion of the clinic in her state of the region address.

When contacted for comment yesterday, Ausiku said she had raised her concerns on numerous occasions with the health ministry as well as the works ministry.

She urged that the project to be completed without further delay.

“I raised my concern when officials from the ministry of health and social services, as well as the ministry of works and transport, visited the site in May 2020. I also repeated the concern of the region during state of region address in July.

“The region now has two Covid-19 cases and I believe the two ministries will address the region's concern and complete the project without further delay,” Ausiku said.

Housing high on the agenda in Erongo• Andre delivers first Sora The delivery of housing and land has been prioritised by the Erongo governor.

ADOLF KAURE

SWAKOPMUND

Erongo governor Neville Andre has announced that Farm 37 will be ready for occupation by October.

“People living in backyard shacks, residents of Otweya informal settlement and other densely populated areas will soon be moved to the new Otweya site and Farm 37.

“The decision to establish a new township has been ratified by the Walvis Bay town council,” Andre said in his first State of the Region Address (Sora). Farm 37 is 3 000m² in size and will yield an estimated 30 000 erven.

He added that the Walvis Bay municipality serviced land in Extensions 5, 6 and 7 of Kuisebmond during the 2019/2020 financial year.

Landless persons in Narraville are also set to benefit with land serviced in Extension 7 of the township.

In total, 894 houses were constructed in Walvis Bay and were handed over for occupation, while 100 serviced erven were allocated to the Shack Dwellers Federation during the period under review.

“The medium to long-term strategy is to provide housing for ultra-low, low- and medium-income residents of Walvis Bay,” Andre said.

Arandis

The governor said the Arandis town council received capital project funding amounting to N$8 million from the ministry of urban and rural development for the 2019/2020 financial year.

The funds were allocated to the servicing of 62 commercial erven in Extension 2 of the town as well as 29 light industrial erven in the Arandis Logistics Hub area.

“The remainder of the funds were utilised for the cadastral and topographic surveying of the Arandis Logistics Hub,” the governor said.

Henties Bay, Usakos

The construction of sewer and water reticulation networks were executed in Henties Bay to deliver 332 erven upon completion. The process is now 80% complete, while the provision of the electrical works for the site stands at 35% complete. Meanwhile, in Usakos, 60 erven were serviced in the Hakhaseb and Erongosig townships at a cost of N$2 million.

The municipality of Usakos also signed two housing development partnership contracts for about 400 housing units worth N$30 million.The construction of these houses will be implemented over the next two years.

Karibib

Karibib town council is currently in the process of servicing the first phase of the Karibib informal settlement by installing bulk infrastructure of water. This initiative, executed in conjunction with the Namibian Housing Action Group, will benefit over 700 households.

The council also completed the layout plan for one of two other townships. This will benefit over 200 residents. The layout plan for the remaining township, known as Old Location, will be completed within the new financial year.

Through a partnership with Development Workshop Namibia, a European non-governmental organisation, the council is also servicing 28 erven for social housing.

Omaruru

Furthermore, the Omaruru town council is currently constructing sewerage infrastructure for Extensions 3 and 5 at the Ozondje informal settlement.

“The project is 40% complete, with a total budget of N$2.7 million. Extension 5 has 272 erven while Extension 3 has 260 erven,” the governor said.

An elevated water tank, with 130m³ capacity, was supplied and installed at an estimated cost of N$1.76 million.

The project has reached the halfway point.

adolf@erongo.com.na

60% fish quotas to be auctionedPromoting transparency Out of 330 000 MT of TAC for horse mackerel, only 43 200 MT will be available for both local and international companies. The 60 percent open to both local and international companies will have a different reserve price. Albert Kawana,minister: Fisheries and marine resources

Cabinet, following consultations with the fishing industry, has resolved to auction 60 per cent of the country’s fish quotas to the highest bidder, whether local or international.

This according to Fisheries and Marine Resources Minister Albert Kawana at a media briefing held in Windhoek, is in order to assist in purchasing equipment needed to mitigate the impact of Covid-19.

According to Kawana, the decision made on 04 August, also resolved to reserve 40 percent of the quotas for local operating companies.

“The quotas reserved for locals will be divided into two streams, namely; wet fish, of which 30 percent is to be allocated and frozen which is to be allocated at 70 percent, at a different reserve price each.

Meanwhile, the 60 percent open to both local and international companies will also have a different reserve price,” Kawana explained.

The minister also stated that the quotas which are to be auctioned to both local and international bidders are not that significant, as an only limited percentage of metric tons (MT) of an allowable catch will be available to these bidders.

“For example, out of 154 000 MT of total allowable catch (TAC) for hake, only 6 600 MT or 4.3 percent will be available to both local and international bidders. 95.7 percent remains for local utilisation.

Out of 330 000 MT of TAC for horse mackerel, only 43 200 MT or 13 percent will be available for both local and international companies. This leaves 87 percent for local utilisation.”

Transparency

Kawana noted that auctioning, which complies with international standards, promotes transparency and avoids the experience of the past as the money to be generated will be paid directly into the State Revenue Account as per the requirements of the State Finance Act of 1991.

“Thereafter, a budget during the mid-term review will be prepared and ultimately tabled in Parliament. The other advantage, unlike in the past, is that there will be full accountability because all monies paid into the State Revenue Account, will be audited by the Auditor General,” he highlighted.

The minister assured that his ministry will not handle the money, an approach which is intended to promote transparency and accountability.

He emphasised the Government’s committed to preserving employment of the Namibian citizens in all sectors of the economy. - Nampa

Girl, 13, commits suicide in Mondesa

LEANDREA LOUW

WALVIS BAY

A 13-year-old girl committed suicide by hanging herself in her home in Mondesa, Swakopmund.

Deputy Commissioner Erastus Ikuyu of the Erongo police said the body of Silence Uwugaeb was found by her mother in their bathroom on Friday night between 21:00 and 22:00.

“According to the deceased's mother, she was away from home for some hours and when she returned, she found her three sons and the deceased at home playing loud music.

“She allegedly ordered them to lower the volume before she went to bed. The mother further alleged that at around 22:00 she went to the bathroom where she discovered the deceased hanging,” Iikuyu said.

Iikuyu said no suicide note was left and no foul play is suspected.

Just last week, a nine-year-old girl, identified as Martha Tobias, reportedly hanged herself at Walvis Bay.

Another suicide

Another suicide was reported in Kuisebmond on Thursday after a woman, aged 23, hanged herself in her room with a rope.

“The deceased was last seen alive on Thursday (13 August) evening at her residence in Neis Street, Tutaleni in Kuisebmond, without any complaints. She was working at a foreign exchange company in Windhoek and moved to the coast recently.”

Iikuyu said on Friday at around 21:00, the woman's neighbours became worried and went to check on her. They noticed her key was inside the door and called the police.

“Upon arrival, the police broke down her door and found her hanging from the roof with a rope around her neck.

“A suicide note was found on the scene. Her next of kin have been informed. She was identified as Roise Sirkka Frans. No foul play is suspected thus far,” Iikuyu said.

Child rape

A nine-year-old girl was raped at Swakopmund on Thursday.

A 42-year-old man was arrested and will appear in the local magistrate's court today.

“He is the husband of the girl's aunt. Investigations into the matter continue,” said Iikuyu.

Law Society overstepped boundaries, court finds• Application dismissed with costs Windhoek lawyer Sisa Namandje will not have to give the Law Society of Namibia access to his law firm's financial records.

SIMON ENDJALA

WINDHOEK

An urgent application by the Law Society of Namibia (LSN), seeking a court order directing Windhoek lawyer Sisa Namandje to open his financial records for the LSN's ongoing investigations, was dismissed by High Court by Judge Herman Oosthuizen on Friday.

The Law Society wanted the court to order Namandje to open up his financial records for ongoing investigations as he allegedly did not cooperate with the body.

The application was dismissed with costs because the LSN did not provide the court with the full council resolution authorising the lawsuit against Namandje.

“The council of the Law Society of Namibia has also not indicated that it had a reasonable belief that Sisa Namandje law firm was guilty of professional misconduct that had to be investigated.

“The council did not take a valid decision to authorise the court application to get access to the records and books of Sisa Namandje and his law firm. The Law Society of Namibia's application is, therefore, dismissed with costs,” Oosthuizen found.

Fishrot connection

Namandje successfully fought off the LSN in an attempt to clear his name of accusations regarding his alleged role in the Fishrot corruption scandal that led to the arrest of two former senior cabinet ministers - Bernhardt Esau and Sacky Shanghala.

During the hearing on 13 and 14 May 2020, Namandje's lawyer, Advocate Raymond Heathcote, informed the court that the LSN had on numerous occasions since 2015 been asking Namandje regarding his alleged unprofessionalism and misconduct at the law firm regarding attorney-client confidentiality.

“The LSN has no legal powers to obtain a warrant for searches of our client's law firm. The Law Society of Namibia overstepped the legal boundaries when they asked our client - Sisa Namandje - to open up the financial records of his law firm to them for inspection and investigation,” said Heathcote in his heads of argument.

According to Heathcote, a proper legal complaint should have been made before a magistrate's court or any other law enforcement agency before the LSN began inspecting or investigating any member of the LSN for alleged unsatisfactory conduct.

Unprocedural

“Before one starts conducting inspections or investigations on any member of the LSN for alleged unsatisfactory misconduct, one should first be sure or have a reasonable belief that such a person is really guilty of the misconduct. After this, you should then approach the courts to obtain the financial records of his or her law firm,” Heathcote argued.

He also said there is no legal power mentioned in the Legal Practitioners Act of Namibia to authorise the director of the LSN to investigate a lawyer or their law firm for alleged misconduct or unsatisfactory behaviour.

In her submissions, LSN lawyer Uno Katjipuka-Sibolile informed the court that the findings pertaining to Namandje and his law firm would not be presented to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

Katjipuka-Sibolile argued that the purpose of gaining access to identified financial records was not being done with the aim of handing over such records to the ACC.

Katjipuka-Sibolile was assisted by lawyer Nixon Marcus. - NAMPA

Nafau demandsReinstate employees with benefits Nafau considers it as unfair dismissal that should be revoked with immediate effect because Pick n Pay did not stick to the joint agreement letter. We are saddened that the current economic situation has necessitated this restructure. Jacob Penda, general secretary: Nafau

The Namibia Food and Allied Workers Union (Nafau) said Pick n Pay should withdraw the retrenchment letter issued to employees on 11 August with immediate effect and reinstate them in the same positions with benefits.

Nafau general secretary Jacob Penda during a press conference said Pick n Pay issued a retrenchment letter to 246 employees on 11 August 2020, notifying them that their contracts will be collectively terminated, without informing the union and the Office of the Labour Commissioner.

He said Nafau considers this as unfair dismissal that should be revoked with immediate effect because Pick n Pay did not stick to the joint agreement letter, they signed with the union recently.

“Pick n Pay should respect the joint letter and notify employees through the right channel, and respect the power invested in the arbitration processes by Labour Act No. 11 of 2007,” said Penda.

Negotiations

He added that Nafau engaged Pick n Pay on several occasions in negotiating alternative retrenchment on behalf of employees in the bargaining unit where Pick n Pay agreed to hold on with the retrenchment, but then later changed and went ahead with retrenching employees without the knowledge of the union.

This forced Nafau to declare a dispute on behalf of the affected employees.

“During this process, the Labour Ministry engaged the parties and advised them to negotiate and find an amicable solution on the retrenchment process. The parties met and signed a joint communication letter stating that retrenchments will not be executed pending the outcome of the dispute negotiations,” said Penda.

When contacted for comment, Ohlthaver and List Group public relations manager Roux-che Locke said the employees’ contracts were lawful and collectively terminated as per section 34 of the Labour Act, adding 229 employees were given their termination letter on 12 August 2020.

“We are saddened that the current economic situation has necessitated this restructure. With a heavy heart, we would like to thank all our employees for their services rendered to Pick n Pay Namibia,” said Locke. Pick n Pay is a subsidiary of Ohlthaver and List. - Nampa

Agribank suspends roadshow Gatherings limited to 10 people The roadshow was aimed at sharing information about the bank’s stimulus package and providing a better understanding of the benefits of the package. The bank will continue to monitor the environment, and should there be new announcements from government. Rino Muranda,Marketing and communications manager: Agribank

Agribank has with immediate effect suspended its ‘Let’s Talk’ stakeholder engagement roadshow, following changes in the Covid-19 regulations which limits gatherings to a maximum of 10 people per event.

Agribank’s marketing and communications manager Rino Muranda in a media statement said the roadshow was aimed at sharing information about the bank’s stimulus package and providing a better understanding of the benefits of the package and any other matter of mutual interest.

“All other planned farmers’ information days and similar public engagements by the bank that are likely to be attended by more than 10 persons are similarly suspended until the situation is reviewed by the government on 28 August 2020,” he said.

So far, the roadshow has covered the Khomas, Omaheke, Otjozondjupa, //Kharas, Hardap, Erongo and Kunene regions, while the remaining regions of Omusati, Oshana, Ohangwena, Oshikoto, Kavango West, Kavango East and Zambezi will be covered at a later stage.

The media statement further quoted Agribank’s chief executive officer, Sakaria Nghikembua, as saying: “The bank is an essential service provider and therefore all offices will remain open countrywide.”

Ngikembua advised that clients use email, telephone calls or other electronic channels for any business-related queries, although physical visits to the offices are still permitted.

He further said the bank will continue to monitor the environment, and should there be new announcements from government, or new operational requirements for the bank, the public will be informed accordingly through the media. - Nampa

Namibia must avoid becoming ‘another African country’“We can’t think like Africans in Africa generally. We are in Johannesburg. It is not some national road in Malawi. No.”

Former South African president Jacob Zuma, notoriously known for his general lack of diplomatic etiquette, hit a raw nerve when he made those remarks in 2013 and attracted a barrage of criticism both at home and abroad.

But as the old saying goes, truth is better when served cold. Diplomacy aside, it is true that Malawi, which gained independence 56 years ago in 1964, remains one of the poorest countries in the world. It’s not Zuma’s fault that Malawi remains what it is – poor.

There was a time when Namibia looked very different to the rest of Africa in many respects. Namibia doesn’t have to look far to see how corruption and incompetence of leadership have reduced a lot of African countries to non-entities.

There is nothing wrong with looking ‘African’ but only in the true image of the Africa we want – not one that we have currently, blighted by endemic corruption, wars and hunger.

To avoid being a typical African country, Namibia must steer clear of intolerance and embrace democracy tightly, like a biblical father who couldn’t let go of his prodigal son.

We cannot afford to retrogress. The momentum, energy and zeal that we started our nationhood with 30 years ago must be restored if we are to avoid the ‘African trap’.

Northern SME Expo to go aheadDate set for first week of December The Northern Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Expo will be held at Ondangwa from 2 to 6 December despite the Covid-19 state of emergency, the organisers say.

TUYEIMO HAIDULA

ONDANGWA

The Northern Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Expo is going ahead as planned despite the Covid-19 pandemic.

The expo will be held at Ondangwa from 2 to 6 December under the theme ‘Innovation for Young Entrepreneurs and Youth Empowerment’.

At the launch on Friday, expo marketer Nangula Nashandi said the organisers would make sure attendees comply with the emergency regulations.

She said the expo was created to promote SMEs, who do not get enough recognition for the contributions they make to the economy.

Stalls can be rented from N$500 and the entrance fee will be only N$5.

“A percentage of the funds raised will be … invested in selected SMEs through the award ceremony that will take place on the last day of the expo. Other funds raised will contribute to many more awareness events to uplift the northern communities,” Nashandi said.

Radio support

A statement by Laizy Nainda, Energy 100 FM programming and production manager, read on his behalf by Tauna Mundjele, said SMEs have long been accepted as the engines of economic growth and development.

“The impact of SMEs in the global economy is … crucial … in the construction of a society which is free of poverty. The reason is that they not only provide ample job opportunities but also ensure the flow of money across the various levels of society,” Nainda said.

That was why the radio station supported the development, growth and sustainability of the SME market.

“Since the beginning of this year, we have initiated various on-air programmes in support of SMEs and have developed special advertising and radio support programmes to strengthen this industry – hence one of our taglines – Energy100, an SME’s best friend,” Nainda said. – tuyeimoivawa@gmail.com

Covid also infects cement salesOhorongo affected None of Ohorongo Cement’s employees have been retrenched or laid off due to the impact of Covid-19. Due to the restrictions and quarantine rules by neighbouring countries, our export market suffered adversely. – Frankleen Alberts, Spokesperson: Ohorongo Cement

The lack of economic activity in Namibia due to the coronavirus outbreak affected the sale of cement by local producer Ohorongo Cement, the manager of customer relations and public affairs, Frankleen Alberts, says.

In an interview with Nampa, Alberts said the contracted economy, especially the decline in the construction industry as well as the lack of infrastructure projects, negatively affected local sales.

“Cement sales have been affected since the outbreak of the virus. We were able to continue supplying our Namibian market without major interruptions while adhering to the regulations under the state of emergency. However, due to the restrictions and quarantine rules by neighbouring countries, our export market suffered adversely,” Alberts said.

She added: “Due to the restrictions on travel and flights, the supply chain is affected and this includes inbound and outbound logistics, in terms of export sales.”

The construction industry, she said, has already been at an all-time low at the end of 2019 and continued into 2020, but this was further intensified by the fact that there were no major projects.

Measures

Alberts said the day-to-day operations of the company have not been affected by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic as the company introduced regulations as published by government and as required by the ministry of mines and energy to ensure the safety of employees while continuing with operations.

None of the company’s employees were retrenched or laid off due to the impact of Covid-19.

The company has implemented a comprehensive Covid-19 policy, with detailed measures aimed at preventing and reducing sources of exposure and providing up to date and reliable information on the emerging Covid-19 situation.

It further implemented monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, all in accordance with the regulations by the Namibian government, Alberts added. – Nampa

Customs and Excise focus on clearing agents

The ministry of finance, and customs and excise recently issued two important announcements on the following topics: Importer/exporter must appoint a clearing agent in writing, and clearing agents must submit applications for licensing before 31 December 2020.

Importer/exporter

The Customs and Excise Act, Act No. 20 of 1998 provides that the importer’s written clearing instructions must be attached to the bill of entry (customs declaration).

This has not been strictly enforced by Customs and Excise Namibia and a memorandum dated 13 July 2020 was addressed to all customs offices, clearing agents, carriers and importers/exporters seems to clarify an earlier internal memorandum dated 17 June 2020 by Customs and Excise Namibia informing customs offices in Namibia to only clear consignments accompanied by a written clearing instruction form as from 1 July 2020.

The uncertainties and apparent delays caused by the earlier communication, which required that the written instruction by importers/exporters should be submitted to the Customs clearing office for each consignment, caused Customs to issue the clarification memorandum.

A power of attorney, which is valid for 12 months, is now also acceptable and must be attached to the customs declaration form (SAD 500).

Declarations for unaccompanied passenger goods, import of household furniture, airfreight imports of less than N$500 and direct trader input declarations (where the importer/exporter submits its own declarations) are exempt from the requirement of providing written instructions or a power of attorney.

It is anticipated that fraudulent or careless use of import account numbers belonging to registered importers by clearing agents will be better controlled through the implementation of the above Customs communications.

Clearing agents

The executive director of the ministry of finance issued a media release on 22 July 2020 informing clearing agents that current licenses will expire on 31 December 2020. New clearing agent registrations will be effective as from 1 January 2021.

The requirements for approval as a clearing agent are:

· Juristic person with at least 80% Namibian-owned,

· Natural person submitting a police code of conduct certificate,

· Proficiency in Customs related matters must be provided,

· Proof of established premises,

· Customs bond of N$20 000,

· Fitness certificate issued by local authority, and

· N$2 000 (non-refundable) application fee

Applications forms are available at the Customs Information Centre, Moltke Street and should be submitted at the same office.

Workshops and information sessions are envisaged by Customs Namibia for current and aspiring clearing agents on the above requirements.

Chantell Husselmann is the country senior partner at PwC Namibia.

Oryx braces for profit tumble

Jo-Maré Duddy – Locally-listed Oryx Properties expects its earnings per share (EPS), headline earnings, distributions and profit for the year ended 30 June 2020 to be significant lower than in its 2019 financial year.

In a trading statement released on the Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX) on Friday, Oryx said it expects these figures to drop by “less than 30%”.

Profit will be impacted by Covid-19 relief measures provided to tenants from April to June, when Namibia was in stages 1 and 2 of the state of emergency.

In April alone, Oryx granted rental relief of N$9.3 million to tenants in its various properties, which include the Maerua and Gustav Voigts malls in Windhoek.

According to PSG Namibia, 67% of Oryx’s property portfolio is retail and 97% of its properties are located locally.

Covid-19

In its trading statement on Friday, Oryx said distributable income and net asset value are for its 2020 financial year anticipated to be significantly lower than that of the previous book-year.

The main reasons are the result of negative fair value adjustments on investment properties, investment in listed shares, derivative instruments, changes in its foreign currency loan and its investment in its associate.

These adjustments are “unrealised gains, which are transferred to non-distributed reserves and therefore do not impact the interest distribution to unitholders”, the group said.

Oryx said the distributions will be lower due to pressure on cash flows and indeterminable continued impacts of Covid-19, as well as the decision taken by debenture holders of non-payment of a final distribution for the year ended 30 June 2020.

Oryx is listed on the Local Index of the NSX. It closed at N$17.40 per share on Friday, 14% down from the N$20.24 per share it ended 2019 on.

Walvis businessman arrested for fraud, forgery

LEANDREA LOUW

WALVIS BAY

A Walvis Bay businessman appeared in the Walvis Bay Magistrate's Court on charges of fraud, forgery and tax evasion on Friday.

Luther Mostert (39) allegedly diverted chicken worth N$7.5 million to Namibia.

The consignment of chicken was subsequently sold illegally to local markets, the State alleges.

Magistrate Vicky Nicolaidis set his bail at N$140 00 and postponed the case to 28 October 2020. Some witness statements are still outstanding and another suspect needs to be located.

Chicken business

According to Deputy Commissioner Erastus Ikuyu, the chicken was in transit from Brazil to South Africa and was diverted to Namibia in December 2018 and January 2019.

Court documents state that Mostert presented documents purporting South Africa as the true origin of the poultry and thus did not pay tax.

Mostert was in custody at the port police station in Walvis Bay.

His bail conditions are that he may not interfere with the investigations or leave the district of Walvis Bay.

Earlier this year, various local media reported about irregularities in the poultry industry indicating that the chicken quota system appears to have been inadequately managed at times, which has led groups and individuals exploiting and abusing grey areas.

More fraud

Alexia Namases (47) who allegedly doctored receipts during March 2018 and December 2019, also appeared on a charge of fraud in the Walvis Bay Magistrate's Court.

She is accused of altering a receipt of an investment company stating that the amount was N$9 771.09 when it was only N$110.40, according to court documents.

The incident occurred on 3 December at the Namibia Ports Authority (Namport).

The accused allegedly did the same in March 2018 when she stated that the bill of landing of another investment company was N$6 650.50 when it was only N$650.68.

The amount she defrauded from clients by altering receipts while employed at Namport involves N$85 000.

Her case was postponed to 19 October 2020 and her bail was set at N$15 000. Investigations are not finalised yet, as some documents as well as footage are still to be obtained.

Covid-19: Funeral of Nujoma's sister delayed• Founding president loses sibling to virus The family of the founding president plans to delay the burial of his sister, who reportedly died from Covid-19, until lockdown regulations are relaxed.

STAFF REPORTER

WINDHOEK

The family of Founding President Sam Nujoma, who lost his sister to Covid-19 on Friday, plans to delay the burial until after the lockdown is lifted.

Elderly Sophia Daniel, who was in Windhoek for a knee treatment, is said to have contracted the virus and died from it on Friday, a day after the latest lockdown came into effect.

Under the new regulations, crafted to help contain the spread of Covid-19, movement out of the towns of Windhoek, Walvis Bay, Arandis, Swakopmund, Rehoboth and Okahandja is prohibited – except for essential services.

This means the Nujoma family cannot move Daniel's body to the north for burial at Okahao, which is believed to be the preferred burial site.

Daniel's nephew, government attorney Matti Asino, yesterday told Namibian Sun that the family planned to repatriate the remains.

“We will bury after the lockdown; this is a private matter. This is a family mother,” he said.

Safety protocols

Covid-19 victims are required to be buried within 72 hours, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). The guidelines further require that Covid-19 victims be buried within localities of their death. Only cremated remains may be transported under strict health protocols.

It is not clear whether the Nujoma family plans on cremating Daniel's remains, and whether they would be allowed to delay the funeral beyond WHO stipulations.

The current Stage 3 lockdown, announced by President Hage Geingob on Wednesday last week, is to remain in place until August 28.

Under current regulations, no more than 10 persons are allowed to gather for any event, including funerals. Health minister Kalumbi Shangula, talking to Namibian Sun on Saturday about how the bodies of the 35 Covid-19 victims have been treated after the country's first death in Walvis Bay caused much commotion, said the remains of victims must be buried in the area where they died.

“Covid-19 victims are buried where they passed away. The other option for repatriation is cremation,” he said. Nujoma's sister hailed from Okahao and took over the running of the house of their mother, Helvi Kondombolo, who died in 2008 at the age of 110.

Growing numbers

As of Saturday, Namibia had 3 907 confirmed cases of Covid-19. The country has recorded 2 352 recoveries from the highly infectious disease.

A total of 35 Covid-19 deaths have been reported in the country so far, while globally over 760 000 people have succumbed to the disease.

IMF assessing Namibia over loan application

OGONE TLHAGE

WINDHOEK

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is currently conducting a country assessment of Namibia as part of scrutinising the country's recent application for a N$4.5 billion loan from the Bretton Woods institution.

The loan is to help strengthen the war chest in the fight against Covid-19 pandemic, which as of Saturday had killed 35 people in the country.

Government had set aside an N$8.1 billion budget meant to fight the global pandemic.

“The IMF has acknowledged receipt of our application to access funding through the Rapid Financial Instrument to address the impact of Covid-19,” ministry of finance spokesperson Tonateni Shidhudhu told Namibian Sun yesterday.

According to Shidhudhu, the institution was doing an assessment of Namibia before deciding whether to lend to Namibia or not.

“They are currently conducting a country assessment before taking the matter to the board for consideration.

Upon receipt of the loan, the government would review the terms of the loan, he said.

“Before the agreement is finalised, Cabinet will review the terms of the agreement to consider whether or not it is appropriate for Namibia,” he said.

U-turn

In April, the finance ministry said that in a bid to avoid further heightening public debt, Namibia had resisted the temptation to approach IMF to finance the national budget or the war against the coronavirus.

While tabling his N$72.8 billion budget, which included N$8.4 billion earmarked for the payment of interest on government loans, finance minister Ipumbu Shiimi revealed that “taking into account the total financing requirements”, government debt stock would to rise to N$117.5 billion, corresponding to 68.7% of gross domestic product (GDP), from 54.8% estimated in 2019/20.

The IMF, notoriously known for removing the fiscal autonomy of countries it lends to, recently offered a US$50 billion war chest to help countries fight the Covid-19 pandemic.

Covid measures ‘devasting’ businessSnowball in motion Behind the manufacture of each Namibian product and the delivery of a service by a Namibian is a family dependent on that income in order to secure their next meal, a roof over their head, and the clothing on their backs. We need to seriously assess whether the opportunity cost of these measures is justified by the livelihoods lost. – Pieter van Niekerk, Chair: Team Namibia

Jo-Maré Duddy - Some local products and services will be lost forever if the Namibian economy is not “drastically ignited”, Team Namibia has warned.

The impact of Covid-19 on local businesses and solutions were discussed last week during an online meeting of the board of Team Namibia. Team Namibia is a member-based non-profit movement aimed at mobilising Namibian consumers to buy local, as well as driving the promotion of the production of quality local products and services.

While Namibia can be credited for doing many things right in terms of combating Covid-19, Team Namibia also highlighted that this crisis provides further opportunity to reset and refocus, relying on the Namibian sense of community to pull everyone through.

“The current measures to curb Covid-19 are having a devastating impact on businesses that are already on their knees, and some Namibian products and services will be lost forever if we do not drastically ignite our economy, support our own, and stand together in support of each other,” said the board chairperson of Team Namibia, Pieter van Niekerk.

He emphasised that behind the manufacture of each Namibian product and the delivery of a service by a Namibian is a family dependent on that income in order to secure their next meal, a roof over their head, and the clothing on their backs.

Recession exacerbated

“The current recession is being exacerbated by measures to restrict the spread of Covid-19, and we need to seriously assess whether the opportunity cost of these measures is justified by the livelihoods lost,” said Van Niekerk.

Except for 2018, when Namibia recorded growth of 0.7%, the economy has growth negatively since 2016.

According to the latest figures by the Namibian Statistics Agency (NSA), manufacturing grew by -8.3% in the first quarter of 2020 – even before the country was hit by Covid-19. Having also recorded growth of -0.9% and -4.9% in the last two quarters of 2019, the sector is in recession.

In the Bank of Namibia’s updated economic outlook released in April 2020, the central bank forecast growth of -4.9% for manufacturing this year.

‘Remove the cloud’

“A proverbial snowball is in motion and if we do not allow the sunlight to melt it, it is going to overrun our nation. It is imperative that we remove the cloud that hangs over Namibia by directing our immediate focus on our people’s livelihoods that need the warmth of the Namibian sun, bearing in mind the reality of Covid-19.

“Namibians need hope, we need to be productive and earn a living, and we need to move forward, but we can only do this if we are not held captive by the fear created with Covid-19,” said van Niekerk.

Elaborating on current priorities, Team Namibia stressed the importance of ensuring the nation is kept healthy, well-nourished with local healthy food, stress free, and sleeping well as the worries of lockdown and unemployment, and poor nourishment do not bode well for a healthy nation.

“We need to pull together to focus on the future and yes, while that does mean that we all need to be responsible in light of the pandemic, it also means that we need to activate our economy, ignite our sense of community, and become a productive nation because Namibian lives depend on it,” Van Niekerk said.