Netball looks to the future

October 6, 2020, 3:00 pm

≪ Previous: Promoters wait for Nestor's invitation

LIMBA MUPETAMI

WINDHOEK

Netball Namibia's Rebekka /Goagoses says fans can expect an explosive MTC Netball League in March next year.

But, before that can happen, they will have to organise playoff matches to complete the list of 12 teams to compete in the league.

Six teams from Erongo, Otjozondjupa and Khomas have already qualified by virtue of completing their respective leagues in 2019.

Whopping injection

Netball has over the years received peanuts in sponsorship, with various leagues having survived by a mere thread. However, this league is made possible through a whopping N$4.2 million, three-year sponsorship from the telecommunications giant to help professionalise netball in the country as well as to amplify the overall development of the game countrywide.

Joining the bunch

Another sports code that has competitions lined up with the sponsorship injection from MTC is football, which received N$19.8 million, of which the Dr Hage Geingob Cup will receive N$1.6 million annually, while N$500 000 goes to the Hopsol Youth Soccer League.

The MTC Namibia Football Association Cup will become the biggest local football competition, with a sponsorship of N$4.5 million annually. The association is in the process of putting together clubs to sign up.

The national hockey teams received N$1 million per year, which translates to N$3 million over three years, allowing teams to prepare adequately for their upcoming international competitions. Lined up is the Namibia Youth Games as well, they scored N$5.4 million over the three years.

The Namibia Horse Racing Association received N$1.5 million, while the Namibia Rugby Union received N$2.7 million for the 'Get into Rugby' programme.

Boxing received about N$18 million over three years to be shared between the MTC Nestor Sunshine and Salute Boxing Academies as well as the MTC Kilimanjaro Boxing Club. Sunshine has scheduled a boxing bonanza called 'Together as One Boxing' Bonanza for November.

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We need our national airline

October 6, 2020, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: RUCA promises a new dawn for Rundu

≪ Previous: Netball looks to the future

We need our national airline

ROBIN TYSON

Air Namibia is sometimes a source of derision. A national outcry ensues every time new budget demands are made to the 'shareholder' (us), and with an endless queue of 'acting' CEOs, as well as the recent resignations of the chief financial officer and corporate communications manager, plus staff threatening to strike over a proposed 50% salary cut, increased calls are made for the airline to either be privatised or to simply closed down.

However, the Covid-19 crisis has underlined how exposed we are as a nation.

Whereas, a year ago, we had a myriad of options for regional travel (SAA, SA Express, BA/Comair, Airlink, Air Namibia, Westair), now only two of those options are left – Airlink and Westair.

And both come with strings attached. Airlink, for instance, will fly you to Johannesburg – but only from Walvis Bay. Similarly, they can fly you to Cape Town, but only from Windhoek! And Westair's extraordinary fares seem unrelated to what passengers can afford. Their quote for a return flight from Walvis Bay to Cape Town (departing 7/11/20, returning 26/12/20 ) is a staggering N$10 500.

Comair/BA have now de listed from the JSE and are planning to fly again only in December this year.

SAA are now essentially closed while the administrators seek the more than R10 billion required to resuscitate that airline, and SA Express were placed in provisional liquidation in April this year.

There could be hope on the horizon, of course, with Airlink applying for slots for flights from Windhoek to Johannesburg, and the budget South African carrier, FlySafair, promising to introduce three flights a week from Johannesburg to Windhoek.

But our vulnerabilities as a nation have been exposed. Relying on foreign airlines to service these important routes is, in times of emergency, perilous. It leaves us exposed, without vital air links for both passengers and freight to our Southern African neighbours.

So we need, as a nation, to put our collective energy and skills into working out a plan for Air Namibia.

A plan that will not only revive the airline, but put it on the profitable footing it can be. Models can be found just over the border. The private airline, FlySafair, for instance, is now the busiest in South Africa, servicing all major centres at relatively low cost. Their basic fare is R917 from Cape Town to Johannesburg – flying a similar distance as the route from Windhoek to Johannesburg. How do they do it?

Firstly, their administrative staff is trimmed down to the minimum. The bulk of their operations (booking, payment, refunds) are done (as with Air Namibia) online.

Secondly, they fly the same aircraft throughout their fleet (Boeing 737), and have done so since the airline started operations.

By comparison Air Namibia's ragtag assembly of not only aircraft types but aircraft manufacturers over the years (Boeing, McDonald Douglas, Airbus, Fokker, Embraer, CASA, Beechcraft, etc.) must be crippling in terms of both maintenance and crew training.

Thirdly, they operate on a 'zero cost' basis. Their fares include no meals and no baggage (except carry-on items), and reward passengers who book well beforehand and are willing to travel at inconvenient hours (their cheaper flights take off at 07:00 – a later departure is more expensive).

The plan to revive Air Namibia, and put it on a profitable footing, should therefore incorporate these elements. Firstly, a N$225 million shareholder investment would not only settle all existing debts, but allow the airline, for the first time, to purchase their aircraft instead of leasing them.

Two Embraer EJ135 aircraft could be purchased through those government loans, and used for internal routes.

Those routes (Windhoek to Ondangwa/Rundu, Windhoek to Katima Mulilo) would be centralised at our main airport – Hosea Kutako International Airport.

This would allow regional and international travellers to easily transfer from the international to domestic terminal for their local connections.

It would also, of course, considerably reduce the costs Air Namibia currently incur in having two Windhoek bases (Hosea Kutako and Eros) from which to operate.

The two A319 aircraft would continue to operate on two regional routes.

Windhoek - Johannesburg (from where passengers could transfer to Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Botswana, etc.) and Windhoek - Walvis Bay - Cape Town (thus also servicing the domestic leg from Windhoek to Walvis Bay).

Administration staff would be rationalised and decentralised, and the expensive offices in the city and elsewhere closed down.

Bookings, queries, refunds, etc. could be done either online (Air Namibia already has an established online operation) or through travel agents. Fares would be based on zero options, meaning no meals, alcohol, or baggage. Those services, if the passenger required, would come at extra cost. Also, ticket prices would fluctuate according to demand. The more passengers book for a flight and the closer it gets to departure, the higher the fare.

An article in New Era (30 September, 2020) revealed the costs that Air Namibia are currently facing.

They include a (reduced) rate of N$2.6 million a month to lease each of the two A319 aircraft, fuel costs (the article suggested these could also be reduced by up to N$2 per litre), costs for insurance, maintenance, airport fees, IATA fees (the international airline body), crew training costs, airport handling charges and the all-important technical maintenance fees. Plus, of course, salaries for the flight crew and cabin crew to operate each flight.

It mounts up and seems, at first glance, a scary figure. Per month, total operating costs could be as much as N$8 million for each of the A319 aircraft, and N$2 million for each of the Embraer EJ135 aircraft.

However, if one works on an income basis, and analysing what passengers are currently paying for their flights, the revenue from operating one daily flight to Cape Town (seven flights a week), with passengers paying an average of N$5 000 each for their return fare, and business class passengers paying N$7 000 return, should be in excess of N$17 million per month. And this assumes the plane is operating at only 70% capacity, and excludes revenue generated from other sources, such as freight. The more popular Johannesburg flight could operate twice a day, generating an income of more than N$32 million per month.

Expenses – N$8 million. Revenue – N$32 million.

It would require strong leadership and experienced management, but a respected and established national airline, serving Namibian routes that are in such high demand, and with most competition decimated by the current crisis, should be making a huge profit, not a loss. It should not be a drain on our national finances, but a source of revenue and pride.

* Robin Tyson is a media consultant based at Swakopmund.

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RUCA promises a new dawn for Rundu

October 6, 2020, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: Meatco transforms to reach all Namibian farmers

≪ Previous: We need our national airline

RUCA promises a new dawn for Rundu KENYA KAMBOWE

RUNDU

The newly established Rundu Urban Community Association (RUCA) promises to transform Rundu into a town that people can be proud to live in.

This is according to RUCA spokesperson Marcellus Haivera during the association’s launch at the weekend.

RUCA recently received its registration certificate from the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), which allows it to field candidates in the local authority election next month.

The association aims to address issues such as water provision, servicing residential plots, improving the road infrastructure, solving the problem with street vendors, and sport development.

According to Haivera, RUCA was formed because of the injustices faced by residents.

Promises

“RUCA will clear the water debts of pensioners and people with disabilities. We shall cancel the interest charged on water owed by the residents of Rundu,” Haivera said.

“We shall review the allocation of land in town and stop loopholes. We shall recognise new locations and provide services to them.

“We shall compensate land owners affected by development activities.

“We shall rehabilitate roads in town and extend roads to ease mobility of people, goods and vehicles.

“We shall create a pool of businesses to support sports in Rundu,” Haivera further said.

When asked about their aspirations in the upcoming elections, Haivera said they aim to win all seven seats on the Rundu town council, with four being the minimum number of seats they are looking at.

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Meatco transforms to reach all Namibian farmers

October 6, 2020, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: COMPANY NEWS IN BRIEF

≪ Previous: RUCA promises a new dawn for Rundu

Meatco transforms to reach all Namibian farmersMajor changes in meat production system Meatco is adopting a market-driven livestock production system, where it will help farmers meet market demands.

STAFF REPORTER

WINDHOEK

Meatco is adopting a multidisciplinary approach to sourcing cattle.

The Meatco Livestock Production and Value-Addition Department will undergo major transformation in a quest to service all livestock producers of Namibia, regardless of their location.

According to Meatco, the department will adopt a market-driven livestock production system, where it will help farmers develop livestock production systems that are in line with market demands.

“One of the major changes is to introduce night classes and a producer forum where, under the Livestock Production and Value-Addition Department, Meatco will offer farmers extension services, advising and educating them so that they align quality with their livestock production systems.”

Meatco said this multidisciplinary approach, through workshops, mentoring and advisory services by collaborating with key players in the agriculture industry, will enable Namibian farmers to revive the livestock sector again.

Sector recovering

The sector is recovering after the devastating 2019 drought, and as such, concerted efforts are required.

To this end, the department that is now referred to as Livestock Production and Value-Addition will have a senior manager, who is responsible for agriculture, extension and advisory services.

Abrie van Wyk will assume this function, while Patrick Liebenberg will oversee overall livestock procurement, both commercial and communal.

According to Meatco's CEO Mwilima Mushokabanji, his strategic focus is to make the organisation competitive and agile.

There are also plans to re-open the Grootfontein, Otjiwarongo and Gobabis offices to ease producers' access to Meatco.

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COMPANY NEWS IN BRIEF

October 6, 2020, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: Visionary, energetic farming couple

≪ Previous: Meatco transforms to reach all Namibian farmers

COMPANY NEWS IN BRIEF

Southwest seeks pay cuts from unions

Southwest Airlines said it is asking unions to agree to pay cuts in order to prevent furloughs and layoffs through 2021 as the industry struggles to stem losses from the coronavirus pandemic in the absence of more federal aid.

Unions represent about 83% of roughly 61 000 Southwest employees. Non-union staff salaries will be cut by 10% until Jan. 1 2022, when they will return to the current level.

“Our objectives are to make this quick and simple and avoid furloughs,” chief executive Gary Kelly said in an interview.

The union representing Southwest pilots said it had tentatively agreed to meet and discuss cost savings if a second Covid-19 relief package does not pass in Washington.

Rivals American Airlines AAL.O and United Airlines UAL.O began furloughing 32 000 employees last week when a ban on job cuts expired without another US$25 billion in federal payroll support that airlines have been seeking. -Nampa/Reuters

Cisco is ordered to pay US$1.9 billion

A US judge ordered Cisco Systems Inc to pay US$1.9 billion to a Virginia company that accused it of copying its cybersecurity patents.

US District Judge Henry Morgan in Norfolk, Virginia, concluded after a monthlong non-jury trial that Cisco infringed four patents belonging to Centripetal Networks Inc, of Herndon, Virginia.

In a 167-page decision, Morgan said the case was “not a close call,” citing inconsistencies in Cisco’s evidence and that its own technical documents, many of which Centripetal itself introduced at trial, “proved Centripetal case.”

The pay-out includes an US$1.89 billion award, reflecting US$755.8 million in actual damages suffered by privately held Centripetal multiplied by 2.5 to reflect Cisco’s “wilful and egregious” conduct, plus prejudgment interest.

“Cisco did not advance any objectively reasonable defences at trial” as to the four patents, Morgan wrote. The infringing functionality was added to their accused products post June 20, 2017, and resulted in a dramatic increase in sales which Cisco touted in both technical and marketing documents,” he added. -Nampa/Reuters

SAP to spend more on diverse businesses

SAP will try to allocate 5% of its procurement spending to social enterprises and diverse businesses by 2025 to encourage greater social and environmental responsibility.

The German software group, which has 440 000 clients, appealed to other companies to join it in supporting small businesses owned and run by women or minorities.

SAP’s procurement initiative follows its launch in June of a product to help firms track greenhouse gas emissions in supply chains, backing a view that being transparent about their carbon footprint will be good for business.

The new initiative relates to so-called addressable spend, the share of a company’s procurement budget that can be allocated to social or diverse enterprises, which in SAP’s case equated to up to $60 million a year.

“We all need soap in our washrooms, landscaping for our offices, food and drink in our cafeterias, marketing services and office supplies. These and many more are all products and services provided by social enterprises and diverse businesses,” SAP board member Adaire Fox-Martin said. - Nampa/Reuters

FAA waives minimum flight requirements

The Federal Aviation Administration aid said it would extend temporary waivers of minimum flight requirements at some major US airports through late March 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Airlines can lose their slots at congested airports if they do not use them at least 80% of the time. The FAA said it would extend the waivers at New York’s John F. Kennedy and LaGuardia airports and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport that were set to expire in October.

At four other US airports where the FAA has a formal schedule-review process - Chicago O’Hare, Newark, New Jersey, Los Angeles and San Francisco - the agency proposes to extend credits to airlines for flights that were cancelled due to the coronavirus as though those flights were operated through Dec. 31.

Major airline groups cited “historically low levels of bookings, with overall bookings down 82% year-on-year for 2020 compared to the outlook for 2019, consumer demand continues to fall and the need for schedule flexibility to support sustainable loads.”

The FAA, which first proposed the extensions on Sept. 11, said it “seeks to ensure the efficient use of valuable aviation infrastructure and maximize the benefits to both airport users and the traveling public.”- Nampa/Reuters

Johnson & Johnson to pay US$100 million

Johnson & Johnson will pay more than US$100 million to settle over 1000 lawsuits that allege the company's Baby Powder caused cancer, Bloomberg news reported, citing people with knowledge of the pacts.

J&J faces more than 19 000 lawsuits from consumers and their survivors claiming its talc products caused cancer due to contamination with asbestos, a known carcinogen. The company has maintained that its talc is safe.

The drug maker declined to comment on the Bloomberg report but reiterated that its talc is safe, does not contain asbestos and does not cause cancer.

“In certain circumstances, we do choose to settle lawsuits, which is done without an admission of liability and in no way changes our position regarding the safety of our products,” the company said in a statement.

In May, J&J said it would stop selling its talc in the United States and Canada after demand had fallen in the wake of what it called “misinformation” about the product’s safety amid a barrage of legal challenges. – Nampa/Reuters

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Visionary, energetic farming couple

October 6, 2020, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: South Africa to lease state land

≪ Previous: COMPANY NEWS IN BRIEF

Visionary, energetic farming couple• Agribank offers training in poultry farming A Kamanjab couple are supplying the local community with fresh eggs from their poultry venture.

STAFF REPORTER

WINDHOEK

Efraim Ashuulu and his wife, Elizabeth, are young and energetic farmers who grabbed the opportunity to venture into poultry through layer production to fill the gap of supplying eggs to the Kamanjab community instead of getting supplies from Windhoek and Okahandja.

According to Agribank this diversification drive from livestock has created an additional income stream. Ashuulu has a national diploma in agriculture while his wife has a bachelor's degree in human resources.

The couple started with 281 day-old Lohmann Brown chicks in October 2018 and added 300 more in March last year.

Since his wife is taking care of their poultry enterprise fulltime, they managed to sell 1 380 eggs per week to three schools, while the rest of the produce was sold locally, says Agribank.

Feeding the community

“With the impact of the coronavirus, schools soon closed which resulted in them losing that market. They now sell locally to the Kamanjab, Erwee and Werda communities as well as Otjiwarongo and Oshakati, when it makes business sense.” Their vision is to produce food for the community and to sustain themselves, but they are limited in terms of access to land. Once they secure a plot close to Kamanjab, they will relocate their poultry enterprise and expand further while also diversifying into piggery and starting a gardening project.

The couple invited the bank's Agri Advisory Services division to train them in production, record-keeping, marketing and value addition. Ashuulu has appealed to Agribank to not always ask for collateral in terms of a property, but rather to consider people who have farming experience, as there are many serious agri-preneurs who possess the drive to succeed.

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South Africa to lease state land

October 6, 2020, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: Man robbed of N$600 000

≪ Previous: Visionary, energetic farming couple

South Africa to lease state landFixing disparities caused by apartheid Women, youth and people with disabilities will be given priority access to the state farm leases, which are non-transferable and include compulsory training. Broadening access to agricultural land for commercial production and subsistence farming is a national priority. Cyril Ramaphosa, President: South Africa

South Africa plans to lease state land for farming in a bid to redress longstanding racial imbalances, president Cyril Ramaphosa said, calling the campaign a “national priority”.

Plots will be available for 30-year lease, provided they are put to agricultural use, starting later this month, according to an announcement last week by the land reform department.

The initiative is part of a wider land reform programme aimed at fixing disparities caused by decades of the apartheid and colonialism during which most of the land was reserved for the minority white population.

“Given our history, broadening access to agricultural land for commercial production and subsistence farming is a national priority,” Ramaphosa said.

“With land ownership still concentrated in the hands of the few, and agriculture primary production and value chains mainly owned by white commercial farmers, the effects of our past remain with us today.”

Ramaphosa noted that while the state had already sold or leased 8.4 million hectares of land to “previously disadvantaged individuals” between 1994 and 2018, only 10 percent was commercial farmland.

When the ruling African National Congress (ANC) came to power in 1994 on the back of the victorious anti-apartheid struggle, the government pledged to redistribute 30% of South Africa's 60 000 commercial farms to blacks.

A 2017 study led by former president Kgalema Motlanthe painted the picture of a “slow and ineffective pace of land reform”.

Opportunities

Ramaphosa also stressed the importance of boosting agriculture in a country where more than 40 percent of the rural population and almost 60 percent of city dwellers had “inadequate access to food” in 2019 figures likely to have increased this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Women, youth and people with disabilities will be given priority access to the state farm leases, which are non-transferable and include compulsory training.

“Broadening access to land and opportunities for farming will support job creation and enterprise development,” Ramaphosa said.

More than two million South Africans lost their jobs between April and June this year as a result of lockdowns imposed to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Ramaphosa hoped the farm leases which will come with an option to buy would “transform the agricultural landscape”.

“They must dispel the stereotype that only white farmers are commercially successful... and that black farmers are perpetually 'emerging',” he wrote.

South Africa's parliament is meanwhile debating constitutional amendments that would allow the expropriation of certain farmland without any compensation.

– Nampa/AFP

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Man robbed of N$600 000

October 6, 2020, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: Search on for Fishcor acting CEO

≪ Previous: South Africa to lease state land

Man robbed of N$600 000

TUYEIMO HAIDULA

OSHAKATI

Oshana police are requesting public assistance to arrest robbers who drove away with N$600 000 in Ondangwa on Monday.

Police spokesperson, inspector Thomas Aiyambo, said a Namibian man (58), who is a control postmaster at NamPost, withdrew N$1 million from Standard Bank for post offices in the Ondangwa area.

The victim withdrew the money in parts; N$400 000 at around 08:45, and then N$600 000 at around 12:25, the spokesperson said.

After he distributed the N$400 000 to smaller post offices around the town, the bank called him to collect the rest of the money, Aiyambo said.

Smash and grab

He said the victim then drove in a western direction, and when he approached a three-way, a white Toyota Corolla (licence plate N 4015 G) with four occupants approached him and demanded the money.

“One had a pistol while others threw stones.

“The suspects smashed both windows, then they took the container from the car containing the N$600 000, while one pointed a pistol to the victim,” Aiyambo said, adding the suspects then fled the scene.

No arrests or recovery has been made, with the victim unable to identify the suspects, he said.

Be careful

Aiyambo warned the public to be extra cautious when withdrawing or depositing money, adding that they should not travel alone.

He also urged companies to use security companies to do their banking or distribution, or to accompany them for protection.

“Individuals should also refrain from carrying huge amounts of money. Rather use online banking or use transfers for payments.

“Always check your mirrors whenever driving to see if there are any strangers following you and report it to the police,” he said.

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Search on for Fishcor acting CEO

October 6, 2020, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: Walvis Bay to construct 20 low cost houses

≪ Previous: Man robbed of N$600 000

Search on for Fishcor acting CEO• Without a chief since February After substantive CEO Mike Nghipunya was arrested and acting CEO David Ngalangi was removed, the National Fishing Corporation is on the hunt for a new leader.

OGONE TLHAGE

WINDHOEK

The search is on for a new acting CEO at the National Fishing Corporation (Fishcor), after its former acting CEO David Ngalangi was removed for his alleged role in assisting an alleged fugitive to enter into Namibia.

This after Ngalangi was appointed following the arrest of substantive CEO Mike Nghipunya, who is currently behind bars for his alleged role in the Fishrot corruption scandal.Fishcor has been without a chief since February.

Nghipunya and former fisheries minister Bernhardt Esau, former justice minister Sacky Shanghala, former Investec CEO James Hatuikulipi, businessman Tamson Hatuikulipi and Hanganeni employee Pius Mwatelulo have been charged with money laundering and bribery.

The charges stem from allegations that Nghipunya, Esau, Shanghala and James used their positions to obtain N$75.6 million, paid to them or entities of their choice, between August 2014 and December 2019.

The money was allegedly paid through DHC Incorporated, the law firm of Maren de Klerk, who is currently in South Africa.

Seized with the matter

Fishcor board chairperson Mihe Gaomab II said the company is in the process of finding a replacement.

“The board is currently seized with the matter of looking into the possibility of the appointment of an acting CEO, if appropriate, and which is strictly in line with the fiduciary duty of the board to adhere fully to the provisions of the National Fishing Corporation of Namibia Act, No. 28 of 1991,” he said.

Gaomab had previously indicated to Namibian Sun that the company was assessing Nghipunya's contract.

Still an employee

“The board is currently looking at an objective approach to engage in terms of the employer-employee relationship and to assess on a recommendation on the continuation or termination of Mr Nghipunya's employment, specifically with reference to his inability to tender his services as a consequence of his detainment as this has implications on the flow of work concerning the mandate of the corporation in terms of the Fishcor Act 1991,” he said.

“This process is, however, internal to the temporary board and not yet finalised. Once this process is finalised, the temporary board will be in a better position to make a decision in this regard.”

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Walvis Bay to construct 20 low cost houses

October 6, 2020, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: Was the 2018 land conference a farce?

≪ Previous: Search on for Fishcor acting CEO

Walvis Bay to construct 20 low cost houses Building houses for the needy The houses will belong to Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia (SDFN) members whose shacks burnt down in a devastating fire about three months ago. The people of Otweya also have dreams and they are valid.Ronny Einbeck, Erongo regional manager: Standard Bank

The municipality of Walvis Bay held a ground breaking ceremony to mark the commencement for the construction of 20 low cost houses in Otweya informal settlement.

The houses to be constructed by the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia (SDFN) will belong to its members whose shacks burnt down in a devastating fire about three months ago at the former Twaloloka informal settlement, now Otweya.

The project, which is in its first phase, is run in collaboration with Standard Bank Namibia’s Buy-a-Brick Footprint Socks campaign aimed to raise funds for the construction of houses for Namibia's shack dwelling community.

Speaking at the ground breaking ceremony, Standard Bank Erongo regional manager Ronny Einbeck reiterated the bank's commitment to work with the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development (MURD) and the SDFN, to restore the dignity of the people and to make Namibia a better place for all to live in.

“Everyone has dreams and we indeed believe that dreams matter. The people of Otweya also have dreams and they are valid.

Today we are re-starting the journey to realise the dreams of the families of Otweya for shelter, restoration of dignity and creating hope for a better tomorrow,” Einbeck noted.

Decent housing

Deputy Minister of Urban and Rural Development Derek Klazen at the same event emphasised the importance of every Namibian each owning decent housing and urged for cooperation and dedication by the Walvis Bay community to the efforts aimed at building houses for the needy.

“Within all these struggles and what seems to be a battle that cannot be won at times, one thing is certain that together, we will emerge victorious with efforts and resources merged together,” he advised.

Facilitator of SDFN in the Erongo region Naftal Uutoni noted that the federation, through its skilled members willl soon start with the project and aims to complete all 20 houses within three weeks.

Uutoni expressed not only gratitude towards the stakeholders who are making this process possible, but also the members’ continuous efforts to contributing to the growth of the federation. - Nampa

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Was the 2018 land conference a farce?

October 6, 2020, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: ACC investigates Okahandja

≪ Previous: Walvis Bay to construct 20 low cost houses

Was the 2018 land conference a farce? This week marked exactly two years since the supposedly landmark second national land conference of October 2018.

Land matters were brought to the fore and subsequently thrust into the heart of the country’s discourse at the conference, and… that’s about it.

Two years down the line, there is nothing that has fundamentally changed insofar as land ownership and accessibility is concerned in the country.

To those with land, both for farming and residential purposes, two years ago sounds like yesterday. To the majority of Namibians, it’s a lifetime.

The lethargic pace and empty-tank energy with which we handle critical national issues leave much to be desired.

When those who boycotted that land conference called it a ‘gimmick’, many optimists gave government the benefit of doubt – that there was a genuine appetite to address and redress the thorny and emotive land issue.

But those citizens hardly have any ammunition to defend that conference today, which, in hindsight, looked like it was an opportunity to rake in travel allowances and munch on crunchy biscuits provided at the venue.

We have become a nation of long speeches and exhaustingly long white papers that never see the light of day.

As matters stand, and unless something radical occurs soon, the 2018 national land conference will go down in history as one of the most expensive wastes of time in recent memory.

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ACC investigates Okahandja

October 6, 2020, 3:00 pm

≫ Next: Namibia’s debt indicators deteriorating

≪ Previous: Was the 2018 land conference a farce?

ACC investigates OkahandjaProperty manager Phillip Hendjala dismissed the allegations “Just because it's being developed now doesn't mean it was recently sold,” said suspended Okahandja mayor Congo Hindjou on allegations that land was sold while a moratorium was in place.

JEMIMA BEUKES

WINDHOEK

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has launched an investigation into the alleged illegal sale of land in Okahandja while a moratorium was still in place. Suspended Okahandja mayor Congo Hindjou, speaking to Namibian Sun show The Evening Review yesterday, said the land in question was sold before a land sale moratorium was effected at the town about five years ago. “It is not council's problem if land sold in 2013 started only being developed in 2019. Just because it's being developed now doesn't mean it was recently sold,” he said.

Hindjou and other councillors have been on suspension since March on instruction of former urban and rural development minister, Peya Mushelenga. In 2015, the former minister of urban and rural development, Sophia Shaningwa, placed a moratorium on selling and leasing land in the garden town due to irregularities detected. The irregularities include the double allocation of land and people being allocated land without applying. ACC director-general Paulus Noa yesterday confirmed that preliminary processes to establish whether the allegations are worth investigating have started. “The matter is with the investigating team who is now dealing with it. We want to find out whether the allegations have any truth in it,” he said.

'Blasting up nonsense'

Okahandja municipality CEO Martha Mutilifa declined to comment on the matter, referring queries to property manager Phillip Hendjala.

Hendjala dismissed the allegations and said the Promised Land activist group, which alerted ACC to the alleged dubious sale of land, are only “blasting up nonsense”.

“There was no land sale during the time of moratorium. We have already submitted a letter to the ACC to explain this,” he said. Meanwhile, Promised Land leader /Gerub Gaseb said they have collected boxes of land transactions which indicate sales took place during the moratorium.

“We do not have to prove anything. The documents are there. They must just give ACC the deeds of transfers at the deeds office and prove that the land on those deeds are still in the municipality books,” he said. He added that they would leave no stone unturned to change the status quo and to retore the dignity of the people of Okahandja.

“Land was sold to investors and the town's people were forced to go and make their homes on the garbage heaps,” he said.

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Namibia’s debt indicators deteriorating

October 6, 2020, 3:00 pm

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Namibia’s debt indicators deterioratingPandemic drives highest budget deficit ever A budget deficit is when expenses outweigh incomes, while a surplus is when incomes outweigh expenses which reflects the financial health of a country. We need to up our game to ensure economic recovery. Johannes !Gawaxab, Governor: Bank of Namibia

PHILLEPUS UUSIKU

The central government’s budget deficit is estimated to widen considerably during the 2020/21 financial year (FY), compared to the preceding fiscal year.

Central government’s deficit for FY2020/21 was estimated in the May 2020 budget to rise to 12.4% of GDP, much higher compared to the previous fiscal year, this is according to Bank of Namibia (BoN) quarterly bulletin report.

The Bank of Namibia (BoN) as one of its functions exist to provide economic advice to the government including debt related matters. The rise in government’s budget deficit is the highest level ever registered since independence.

The increase is expected to be on account of governments’ effort to cushion the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on economic activity as well as to help save lives and to support livelihoods through the provision of social grants and the procurement of various health materials and equipment, BoN says.

Revenue collection is estimated to decline during the period under review, as a result of subdued economic activity and accelerated payment of VAT refunds, BoN added.

Borrowing

Generally, governments have various developmental and national objectives, and they can be successfully achieved if the state has sufficient revenue to invest in certain strategic untapped sectors.

If the funds are not sufficient however, the government has to seek to secure additional funds to finance rendering of basic services by spending the available scarce revenue in the most efficient and effective way to ensure growth in all sectors of the economy.

The government debt stock rose year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter during the first quarter of FY2020/21, compared to the corresponding period in the previous fiscal year on account of an increase in domestic and foreign borrowing.

The total government debt stock stood at N$101.2 billion at the end of June 2020, representing an increase of 15.1% and 0.8% year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter, respectively, compared to the debt stock registered at the end of June 2019, BoN pointed out.

The yearly increase was reflected in both domestic and external debt as a result of further allotments of treasury bills (TBs) and Internal Registered Stock (IRS) in order to finance the budget deficit. Furthermore, the quarter-on-quarter increase in total government debt was mainly driven by a rise in domestic debt, while external debt declined, mainly owing to the redemption of a JSE listed bond.

Total debt as a percentage of GDP stood at 58.7 percent during the period under review, reflecting an increase of 10.1 percentage points over its level at the end of June 2019, BoN says.

The debt-to-GDP ratio continued to rise further above the government debt ceiling of 35.0 percent of GDP, edging closer to the SADC convergence limit of 60.0%.

Debt servicing

Government debt service rose on a yearly basis during the first quarter of the FY2020/21, while on a quarterly basis debt service rose owing partly to coupon payments of both eurobonds.

A eurobond is a debt instrument that is denominated in a currency other than the home currency of the country or market in which it is issued.

Total government debt service rose significantly by 58.9% to N$2.1 billion year-on-year during the quarter under review. This was reflected in external debt services, owing to the principal repayments of the JSE listed bond, during the quarter under review.

On a quarterly basis, government debt service rose significantly to N$2.1 billion from N$624 million, mainly due to the scheduled coupon payments of the eurobonds, coupled with the interest and principal repayment of one of the JSE listed bonds during the quarter under review. As a result, total debt service as a percentage of revenue rose by 2.0 percentage points to 2.4%. -pkuusiku@gmail.com

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222 arrested for drugs in two months

October 6, 2020, 3:00 pm

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222 arrested for drugs in two months

ELLANIE SMIT

WINDHOEK

More than 200 suspects have been arrested on drug-related charges in the last two months.

Drugs to the value of more than N$1.28 million were seized during August and September, while 222 suspects were arrested.

According to statistics provided by the police for the months of August and September, the majority of the suspects arrested were Namibians. Meanwhile, cannabis still remains the top consumed drug by Namibians, with more than N$1.125 million in value being confiscated during this time.

August

During August, 140 suspects were arrested, of which 130 were Namibians.

Four Congolese, two Zambians, an Angolan, a Kenyan, a Liberian and a Spanish national were also arrested.

Drugs to the value of N$471 530 were confiscated during August, which included 35.79kg of cannabis valued at N$357 910, 596 mandrax tablets valued at N$71 520, 56 grams of cocaine powder valued at N$28 000 and 141 units of crack cocaine valued at N$14 000.

September

In September, 82 suspects were arrested, of which 76 were Namibians.

Other suspects included a Congolese, a Tanzanian, a South African, a Zambian and a German national.

Drugs to the value N$815 420 were confiscated.

This included 76.7kg of cannabis with a value of N$767 390, 73 mandrax tablets valued at N$8 760, 16 grams of cocaine powder valued at N$8 000 and 74 units crack cocaine valued at N$7 400.

Furthermore, 119 tablets of ecstasy to the value of N$14 280, seven MDMA capsules to the value of N$840 and 55 grams of magic mushrooms were also seized.

“The police and stakeholders continue to educate the nation about the dangers related to drugs. In doing so, we discourage public involvement in dealing, use and possession of drugs,” police spokesperson, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, said.

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Rape accused admits kissing Covid patient in quarantine

October 6, 2020, 3:00 pm

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Rape accused admits kissing Covid patient in quarantine

ADOLF KAURE

Swakopmund

Glenn Clifford Leister (26), accused of raping a 15-year-old girl recovering from Covid-19 at the Swakopmund municipal bungalows, said he kissed the alleged victim but did not have penetrative sex with her.

He made his second appearance in the Swakopmund Magistrate's Court on Monday to apply for bail.

The State, represented by prosecutor Johannes Shangadi, objected to bail being granted due to the seriousness of the offence, adding that there are concerns that Leister will interfere with witnesses. The accused denied all charges during cross examination. “We did not have sex. I only kissed her on the neck and touched her,” he said through sporadic burst of tears.

Inappropriate texts

The State claims to have evidence of inappropriate text messages Leister sent to the complainant.

Shangadi told magistrate Paula Nelao Brown that medical examination results indicate that the girl's hymen was broken and that a white discharge was found in her vagina after the alleged incident took place.

According to the State, the victim spoke to a social worker about her alleged ordeal, saying that Leister grabbed her forcefully by the arm after locking the bungalow door.

He allegedly fondled her breasts before forcefully opening her legs and raping her.

Evidence provided by the State also indicates that the victim told her social worker that she pleaded with Leister to stop as he was hurting her.

'Youngest girl'

The State also claims Leister allegedly told the victim that she was the youngest girl he had ever had sexual relations with, and that his hormones caused him to rape her.

Furthermore, the State argued that the accused allegedly went to stand in front of a mirror smiling to himself while his victim was bleeding.

He allegedly then asked the victim to go outside to see if there was anyone in the area so that he could leave the room without being seen.

'I raised him well'

Meanwhile, Leister's lawyer, Jan Wessels, argued that the complainant had a cellphone with her at all times in the bungalow and could have immediately notified her parents that she was raped instead of telling a social worker.

Wessels also argued that it did not make sense for someone who had been raped to go outside to see if the coast was clear to give the alleged perpetrator the opportunity to leave without being seen.

Leister told the court that he is aware what the legal age of consent is – which in Namibian law is 16.

The defence called the accused's stepfather as a witness to testify in favour of his bail application. “I raised him well. He does not smoke, drink alcohol or even go to night clubs,” the stepfather said.

adolf@erongo.com.na

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Seaflower boss blasts Kawana

October 6, 2020, 3:00 pm

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Seaflower boss blasts KawanaSays minister not adhering to fishing scorecard The fisheries minister has challenged the Seaflower boss to back up his claims of favouritism over fishing quotas with evidence.

OGONE TLHAGE

WINDHOEK

Fisheries minister Albert Kawana has demanded evidence from fishing executives accusing him of favouring those close to him during the recent auction of government's fishing quota for development objectives.

This follows the result of the auction in which the government raised N$8.4 million out of a targeted N$627 million. Adriaan Louw, the chairperson of Seaflower Pelagic Corporation, accused Kawana of favouring those close to him in the allocation of fishing quotas.

“The scorecard dictates investment and job opportunities very high on the criteria. Kawana for sure just gave rights to a handful of connected comrades and did not adhere to scorecard and value addition,” he told Namibian Sun. “So, again, some few will politically benefit and buy Ferraris [and] Bentleys and have no regard for the poor population and also do not know what a hake or horse mackerel looks like,” he said.

Louw also took issue with the revenue the government generated from quota fees. Louw felt it added no value to the economy.

“Something the people don't realise is if middlemen and government continue to pursue empty, hollow, zero-contribution quota fees that bring no value to the average Namibian, it erodes the normal profit a fishing company must make in order to survive,” he said.

Risky business

According to Louw, there are bad fishing years, just like other economic sectors experience bad years. He compared the fishing industry to the agricultural sector.

“What happens if fishing companies have a bad fishing year? Vessels break down? Bad market prices? Bad debt?

“Fishing is a highly specialised feast or famine. You need to make profits also to cover bad years. It's precisely like farming: Some good years, some bad,” he said.

Kawana responded that Louw must offer proof to back his claims.

“Did he give you proof of those companies?” Kawana asked when confronted with the allegations.

“He must prove how I am connected to those companies so that I can inform the nation,” Kawana said.

Caution

The chairperson of the Namibian Fishing Association, Matti Amukwa, recently said government should reconsider its planned auctioning of fishing quotas.

Government intends to auction fishing quotas once the Marine Advisory Council has decided on the total allowable catch for the 2021 fishing season.

“The industry will not support this; we were not consulted,” Amukwa said. He added that there was room for improvement after the government's spectacular auction failure.

Amukwa said the government would have to use the scorecard to regulate the allocation of fishing rights.

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Covid aid could bring years of austerity

October 6, 2020, 3:00 pm

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Covid aid could bring years of austerity

Marc Jones - Five hundred of the world's leading charities and social groups have sent a letter to the International Monetary Fund warning that its support programmes, which have had to be ramped up to cope with Covid-19, were condemning many countries to years of austerity.

The concern raised before the IMF and World Bank annual meetings next week said current programmes would see 80 countries required to implement austerity worth on average 3.8% of their annual economic output between 2021 and 2023.

An analysis by one of the 500 signatories of the letter, the European Network on Debt and Development, estimated that future fiscal consolidation would represent almost five times the resources allocated to this year's Covid-19 packages.

More than half the projected consolidation measures - equivalent to 2% of gross domestic product - will take place next year, they added. Some 56 countries would be left with higher public debts by 2023; 30 would end up paying an additional amount equivalent to their 2020 Covid-19 packages to creditors as debt service costs rose every year.

"For 46 countries for which data is available, a decade of austerity measures will reduce public expenditures from 25.7% to 23% of GDP between 2020 and 2030," the analysis said.

The letter called on the IMF to "immediately stop promoting austerity around the world".

The IMF has responded to an unprecedented number of calls for emergency financing as a result of this year's pandemic and lockdown measures driving the global economy into a severe recession.

Emergency facilities

More than 100 countries have requested its help so far. The IMF has doubled the access to its emergency facilities — the Rapid Credit Facility and Rapid Financing Instrument — expecting demand for support to reach about US$100 billion.

Namibia too has applied to the IMF for a loan of some N$4.5 billion under the Rapid Credit Facility and Rapid Financing Instrument to help finance its record deficit of nearly N$21.4 billion in the current fiscal year.

On Monday, the Fund's board also approved a second six-month tranche of debt-service relief for 28 member countries under the Catastrophe Containment and Relief Trust. The trust has already provided over US$30 billion and is backing an extension of the G20-led Debt Service Suspension Initiative for over 70 of the world's poorest countries.

"Where debt is unsustainable, it should be restructured, the sooner the better," IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva said as part of a blog post last week. – Own report and Nampa/Reuters

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Job losses in retail, manufacturing

October 6, 2020, 3:00 pm

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Job losses in retail, manufacturingShops pay less Compared to the first quarter of 2020, employment in the wholesale and retail sector decreased by 3.7%, while manufacturing offered 8% less jobs. The surge in the total unit labour costs for the manufacturing sector renders the sector less competitive in the international market. - BoN

Jo-Maré Duddy – Two of the heavyweights in the economy – manufacturing, as well as wholesale and retail trade – suffered job losses in the second quarter of this year.

The latest data released by the Bank of Namibia (BoN) shows the two sectors were both on an annual and a quarterly basis.

Employment in the wholesale and retail trade sector decreased by 4.8% year-on-year and 3.7% quarter-on-quarter. In the manufacturing sector, employment was down 6.8% year-on-year and 8% quarter-on-quarter.

“The year on-year decline in employment in the wholesale and retail trade sector was mostly reflected in clothing and supermarkets, while in the manufacturing sector it was registered in most subsectors, but driven mainly by the fabricated metals and mineral processing subsectors,” the BoN says.

Figures released by the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) show manufacturing contracted by 30.8% in the second quarter, while wholesale and retail registered negative growth of 22.5%.

Manufacturing contributed 11.1% to the gross domestic product (GDP) in the second quarter, compared to 14% in the same three months in 2019. Wholesale and retail's contribution was 10.3% against 11.1% in 2019.

Wages

The nominal and average wages in the wholesale and retail trade sector decreased, both year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter, during the second quarter of 2020.

Nominal and average wages in the wholesale and retail trade sector decreased by 16.8% and 17.1% year-on-year respectively during the second quarter of 2020.

“The year-on-year reduction was more reflected in the furniture, wholesale and vehicle sales, caused largely by the Covid-19 pandemic-induced effects,” the BoN says.

Similarly, on a quarterly basis, the nominal wages and average wage bill in the wholesale and retail trade sector decreased by 16.2% and 13.3%, respectively, over the same period.

Nominal and average wages in the manufacturing sector increased, both year on-year and quarter-on-quarter during the second quarter of 2020.

The nominal and average wages in the manufacturing sector increased year-on-year by 3.8% and 11.4% respectively.

“Improved wages were observed in several subsectors of the manufacturing sector, led by beverages, food products, basic metals and textile, as well as clothing,” according to the BoN.

Similarly, on a quarterly basis, the nominal wages and average wage bill in the manufacturing sector increased by 3.9% and 13% respectively, over the same period.

Unit labour costs

Unit labour costs for the manufacturing sector increased both year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter during the second quarter.

Total unit labour costs for the manufacturing sector increased by 33.2% and 12.4% year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter, respectively.

According to the BoN, the year-on-year increase in the sector’s unit labour costs was primarily due to decreased output per worker registered in subsectors such as fabricated metals, beverages, printing and publishing, as well as textiles and wearing apparel.

“The surge in the total unit labour costs for the manufacturing sector renders the sector less competitive in the international market. Since output is due to recover after the pandemic, unit labour costs could be expected to normalise, at least to some extent,” the BoN says.

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Stages of equipping gigapreneurs

October 6, 2020, 8:44 am

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Stages of equipping gigapreneurs The Namibia Business School, through its Giganomics course has highlighted key areas of focus for gig entrepreneurs, dividing these components into one lesson each. The first is vital to what a business entails and that is the provision of a product/service.
Through their first lesson, which took place via zoom on 5 September, gig entrepreneurs learnt how to develop their products or services and ideas to suit their market. This dealt with thinking more about the consumer and their satisfaction when tackling problems brought about by circumstances such as the current pandemic.
The lesson presented entrepreneurs with a five step plan on how to strengthen the development of their product and possible success on the market, through ensuring that it solves a problem or provides a societal need. The lesson, which was presented by Professor Grafton Whyte further explored design thinking as a tool for developing the said product or service.
The session was interactive and prompted attendees to share their ideas and input as well, using the new approach. Many of the attendees had valuable contributions, which shows that they had been paying attention.
The sessions are one hour long and the presenter keeps the lesson interesting by sharing relatable examples and providing attendees to share their thoughts on the subject matter. Other topics which will be covered in separate sessions are: operations, human capital customers and markets, finance and strategy.
Those who may have missed the first session can still join the remaining sessions by registering through the link https://www.today.com.na/events/nbs-gigonomics-course-1. A certificate of completion will be awarded to attendees who have joined at least five of the six lessons. For enquiries: marketing@nbs.edu.na

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Indongo in for stern test

October 7, 2020, 3:00 pm

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Indongo in for stern testGreat return to the ring expected Namibian boxer Julius 'Blue Machine' Indongo will exchange leather with Kazakhstan's professional fighter Daniyar Yeleussinov in what could be a stern test for the IBF Intercontinental Welterweight title on 27 November in Florida.

LIMBA MUPETAMI

WINDHOEK

Former unified light-welterweight world champion Julius Indongo and Rio gold medallist Daniyar Yeleussinov will feature in a 10-round bout on bitter rivals Daniel Jacobs and Gabriel Rosado's Super-Middleweight clash card next month.

The two were initially supposed to feature on Americans Regis Prograis and Maurice Hooker's card earlier this year, but couldn't fight due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Much-needed work

The 37-year-old Indongo, who is trained locally by Immanuel 'Ace' Moses, has put in a lot of work ahead of the fight as he has been based in America for close to six months, training under Lou DiBella for the fight which will be behind closed doors at Hard Rock Live at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood.

His trainer, Moses, will travel to the United States in the coming days to be alongside the boxer and to also take him through the robes before the fight.

“I have been in contact with him and we are working towards getting him back to the top,” said Moses.

Indongo told international media that Daniyar is a very gifted boxer and a highly accomplished Olympian.

“However, I don't fear anyone, because my skills will be a challenge for him as well. I feel as if my skills and conditioning, since training in America, have improved very much, so it is going to be a good fight. I'm prepared to put on a great performance and get the win.

“I understand the importance of this fight for my career. I need to win, period. When I do, I will be considered as a contender in both the super lightweight and welterweight divisions. This fight will open the doors I need to become a world champion again,” he said.

Great run

The Namibian boxer, before losing to American Terence Crawford, made his name with a stunning one-punch knockout (KO) of Eduard Troyanovsky and domination of Ricky Burns, which earned him the IBF and WBA super lightweight titles respectively. Then came knockout losses to Crawford and then Prograis, which led to a 17-month layoff from which he returned in August of last year to beat American Carltavius Jones Johnson.

Experience will count

Despite losing to unstoppable Crawford, what sets the two boxers apart is the fact that Indongo has enjoyed a much bigger stage than his opponent, is more experienced with 25 fights, 23 wins (12 knockouts) and two losses. However, the 29-year old Yeleussinov is no walk in the park even though he only has nine unbeaten fights with five of those fights coming by knockout. He has beaten the likes of American Reshard Hicks and Mexican Alan Sanchez.

limba@namibiansun.com

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