FMD outbreak under control

February 25, 2021, 2:00 pm

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FMD outbreak under controlLast cases reported more than a month ago There is no need to panic about meat exports spreading foot-and-mouth disease from Namibia, industry leaders emphasise. ELLANIE SMIT

WINDHOEK

The agriculture ministry says the last cases of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the Northern Communal Areas (NCAs) were detected more than a month ago and the outbreak is now under control.

According to the ministry, an update on the FMD outbreak in the NCAs was provided to the US agriculture department in November last year.

According to the ministry’s deputy director for public relations, Chrispin Matongela, the US agriculture department expressed satisfaction with the information provided.

The FMD outbreak in Namibia was first detected on 28 September 2020 in the Kavango East Region and then spread to Kavango West, Ohangwena, Oshikoto and Oshana.

Misconceptions

That prompted American farmers to call on the US government to immediately stop importing beef from Namibia.

According to Matongela the last FMD cases were detected on 20 January at Ekuli village in the Tondoro constituency of Kavango West.

“The ministry is not concerned about any possibility of FMD spreading from Namibia to the US as the current FMD outbreak does not affect trade in animals and animal products from the FMD-free zone of Namibia.”

Matongela said the Namibian beef exported to the USA is derived from cattle born and raised in the FMD-free zone of Namibia and slaughtered at Meatco export abattoir in Windhoek.

“Vaccination of cattle is going on well and we encourage all farmers to present their cattle at crush pens for vaccination in the first round of vaccination and also the second round of vaccination when requested to do so by the veterinary services.”

Cordon fence

Meatco CEO Mwilima Mushokabanji pointed out that Namibia has an effective Livestock Identification and Traceability System.

He added that the Veterinary Cordon Fence has been in place since 1915 and has demonstrated its worth in combating numerous animal diseases.

“Due to its importance, high emphasis is placed on the maintenance of the VCF. It is a task shared amongst the livestock industry agriculture ministry, the environment ministry and the police.”

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Swapo can’t be left alone, Mr President!

February 25, 2021, 2:00 pm

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Swapo can’t be left alone, Mr President! President Hage Geingob’s assertion that people shouldn’t worry about Swapo’s problems cannot be left unchallenged.

The president’s remarks seem to be rooted in misconception that those concerned about Swapo’s regression under his leadership are party outsiders. Murmurs of discontent are rife among party insiders – perhaps more so than outsiders.

Swapo cadres fear that the party’s decline would lead to the overall loss of its grip on power – if not outright dislodgement. Geingob too knows this, perhaps more than anyone in the party. After all, he sits high up where he has an aerial view of the party in its entirety.

Unlike financial markets that rely on the so-called invisible hand to self-correct, Swapo’s problems will not just fade away like daylight at sunset. President Geingob should therefore not get agitated when he is reminded of the true state of the party.

Swapo deputy secretary-general Marco Hausiku couldn’t have put it any better when he said last week that Swapo admitting its own problems would not be a sign of weakness. He is the first leader within the party’s top-four hierarchy to publicly admit to trouble brewing within.

Those problems, which have resulted in declining votes already, will persist as long as leaders do not acknowledge them. Otherwise, how would anyone start correcting the mistakes that they naively believe do not exist?

South Africa boosts vaccine spending

February 25, 2021, 2:00 pm

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South Africa boosts vaccine spending Olivia Kumwenda-Mtambo and Mfuneko Toyana

South Africa could spend up to R 19.3 billion (US$1.33 billion) over the next three years to vaccinate most of its population, the Treasury said on Wednesday, in a "difficult balancing act" meant to contain Covid-19 while avoiding a debt spiral.

The fiscal position of South Africa, which is the African country hardest hit by the pandemic, was already weak before the coronavirus crisis and has deteriorated sharply over the past year, according to the 2021 budget presented to parliament.

The deficit is forecasted to reach 14% of gross domestic product (GDP) in the 2020/21 fiscal year, from 5.7% in the previous year.

The Treasury said a mass vaccination programme would help spur GDP growth to 3.3% this year following a severe contraction of 7.2% in 2020.

"This year we face an exceptionally difficult balancing act," the Treasury said.

"On one side is a raging pandemic on the other side is a weak economy, with massive unemployment, that is burdened by ailing state-owned companies, the highest budget deficit in our history and rapidly growing public debt."

The rand scaled a 13-month peak and bonds rallied after the budget was announced.

Pressure

The Treasury lowered its gross debt estimate over the medium term, but it remains relatively high projected at 87.3% of GDP by 2023/24, compared with an estimated 92.9% in October.

"Certainly, compared to last October, we are in a better place. But our assessment still stands: our public finances are dangerously overstretched," Finance Minister Tito Mboweni told lawmakers.

Africa's most advanced economy is battling a more infectious variant of the coronavirus but has lagged wealthier nations in launching its immunisation campaign.

It is now planning to step up vaccinations after administering the first doses of Johnson & Johnson's shot last week.

The government plans to vaccinate 40 million people, or two-thirds of the population. The budget allocates 1.3 billion rand for vaccine purchases in the current fiscal year, which ends next month, while 9 billion rand is earmarked for the roll-out over the medium term.

"Given the uncertainty around final costs, an estimated 9 billion rand could be drawn on from the contingency reserve and emergency allocations, bringing total potential funding for the vaccination programme to about 19.3 billion rand," the Treasury said. - Nampa/Reuters

Driven by quality service

February 25, 2021, 2:00 pm

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Driven by quality serviceStriving to bridge the gap in the funeral industry At the age of 28, Shilongo operates two branches of his gravestone and funeral business. Tunohole Mungoba – Ongwediva

Barnabas Shilongo established Shilongo Gravestones and Funeral Services in 2017, but only officially registered his business in 2019.

“Shilongo Gravestones and Funeral Services specialises in tombstones, funeral services, flower arrangements and we also have printing, piano, videography and photography services,” says Shilongo, the 28-year-old entrepreneur born at Othika village in the Omusati Region.

His company has branches in Oshakati and at Okahao and he currently employs 18 people. He is in the process of opening a third branch at Outapi.

A qualified artisan, Shilongo completed his vocational training in boiler making at the Namibian Institute of Mining and Technology (Nimt) in Keetmanshoop in 2015.

“I went for vocational training because I love working with my hands and it has always been a passion of mine,” he says.

“I noticed a gap in providing high-quality tombstones here in the North so I saw this as a business opportunity. I also used to weld part time when I was working for another funeral service company from 2015 to 2017.

“I was then inspired by previous boss, Wilbard Johannes, and my cousin, Sem Angombe, to start my own business,” he tells Careers Hub.

“I started by buying tools from hardware stores and the material is supplied by local suppliers.”

Although the business is growing, he says Covid-19 has also caused a negative impact because his suppliers struggle with getting material.

“We also struggled to find an office and make sure everything was up to standard. We also wanted to have samples at the front of the office,” he says.

Shilongo plans to grow his business by providing the full range of funeral arrangements.

“I want to stand out and provide all our clients everlasting memories. We are available to provide services nationwide and cover the entire country.”

Photo 1: Barnabas Shilongo of Shilongo Gravestones and Funeral Services at his head office in Oshakati.

Photo 2: Shilongo during a day’s work.

PHOTOS TUNOHOLE MUNGOBA

He is moulded by the call center into a better individual

February 25, 2021, 2:00 pm

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He is moulded by the call center into a better individualKaxwadi took a sharp turn from the IT industry into the customer service industry An internship programme granted Kaxwadi his first real-life, hands-on platform to explore the IT world. Michelline Nawatises

Leslie Kaxwadi is a computer science graduate from the Namibia University of Science and Technology. He graduated in 2017. As a part of his course requirements, it was a pre-requisite to complete his studies if he enrolled in an internship programme. Because of this, he got an opportunity to fulfil that with the Windhoek Central Hospital as an intern IT technician. Kaxwadi adds it was quite an exciting opportunity as it was his first real-life, hands-on platform to explore the IT world.

He says the scope of work at the Central Hospital was quite broad; he equipped himself with extensive IT experience in a short time. After that, he did not pursue a career further into the IT industry but diverted into the customer service industry through MultiChoice Namibia where he is currently employed as a customer service representative in the call centre. “MultiChoice has allowed me to uncover my hidden potential as a young professional,” he says.

He says being in the call centre has moulded him into being a calm, focused and detail-oriented individual who is always eager to find solutions to clients’ queries and making their satisfaction a priority - hence, coupling the experiences he picked up both at the Central Hospital and MultiChoice Namibia. He is looking forward to pursuing a career in a dynamic orgaisation that is willing to benefit from the combination of IT with a fusion of customer service from a world-class industry player (MultiChoice).

Kaxwadi’s job entails answering incoming calls and attending to customers’ emails, managing and resolving customer complaints, identifying and escalating issues to supervisors, providing product and service information to customers as well as providing and promoting self-service platforms and many more.

When asked about his challenges and accomplishments, he said that it would be the transformation of working from home as opposed to the traditional office environment. “It was quite a struggle to adapt to a less formal setup where you are expected to deliver the same results with limited resources and support,” he said.

His biggest accomplishment could be staying on the “Green” in terms of all the key performance metrics since he started at MultiChoice. It is quite a struggle for many as some of the poor results originate from system failures and downtimes, but with a resilient mindset, he conquered.

His day starts with a cup of coffee then he opens his emails to get a heads-up and crucial updates. He then opens all the necessary systems and applications that he works with and test for potential glitches. Once that is done, calls start trickling in and the ball starts rolling.

All systems go for three-horse Hardap polls

February 25, 2021, 2:00 pm

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All systems go for three-horse Hardap polls OGONE TLHAGE

WINDHOEK

Swapo, the Landless People’s Movement (LPM) and Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) are all bullish ahead of regional and local authority election reruns slated for today in Aroab, Koes, Stampriet and Mariental Rural.

Three judges of the Electoral Court last year ordered a rerun of elections should take place in December 2020 after an Electoral Commission of Namibia bungle with ballot papers.

Confidence on show

The Swapo coordinator for the //Karas Region, Matheus Mumbala, was enthusiastic and optimistic his party would do well.

“This is normal for me, I am 100% sure we will do well in Aroab and Koës. Swapo is ready to take Koës and gain one more seat … in Aroab, we are confident we will win,” he said.

When asked about the party’s performance in the local and regional authority elections held in November 2020, Mumbala said voters chose the Landless Peoples Movement because it was a new party and there was excitement that surrounded it.

“It is always like that with the newcomers. For sure this time people will realise that they were lied to,” Mumbala said.

Popular Democratic Movement secretary-general Manuel Ngaringombe was equally upbeat about today’s elections.

“We have mobilised and laid down our manifesto. We discussed with the voters what we will do with them. We also informed the voters that they must have faith in the Electoral Commission of Namibia and what happened last year. I have faith the PDM will do well,” Ngaringombe said.

LPM spokesperson Joyce Muzengua said her party’s candidates had worked hard and were expecting an unprecedented victory.

“We have worked very hard; we expect really good results and our candidates are very determined. We are approaching this with a positive outcome,” she said.

Rationale

The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) brought an application in the Windhoek High Court to have the ballots cast on 25 November declared null and void after they picked up that some polling stations had closed early, and the wrong ballot papers had been issued at others.

Windhoek High Court Judges Shafimana Ueitele, Herman Oosthuizen and Orben Sibeya found that the irregularities were significant enough to have an impact on the outcome of the elections.

Darkness falls on government buildings

February 25, 2021, 2:00 pm

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Darkness falls on government buildings MATHIAS HAUFIKU

WINDHOEK

Affected ministries:

· Safety and security: N$34m

· Defence: N$5.2m

· Agriculture: N$3.8m

· Mines and energy: N$1.3m

· Lands: N$570 000

· Youth and sports: N$2.6m

It was a helter-skelter moment at several government ministries yesterday when the City of Windhoek cut their electricity supply due to unpaid bills.

The unprecedented move by the opposition-led municipality comes at a time when government finds itself with little room to manoeuvre as far as revenue collection is concerned.

According to the municipality, the affected government entities owe the council at least N$41 million.

There were mixed reactions following the decision to cut electricity supply. Critics say the move was not well thought through and they see it as a move by the opposition-led council to embarrass the Swapo-led government.

Supporters of the decision feel it is high time the municipality treats big institutions with the same vigour it treats defaulting households.

Sources at the municipality say the City is only obliged to supply electricity to paying customers.

“Over the years the Swapo politicians who used to control the council used to stop the workers from doing their work. The organisation is owed millions by public institutions but we were prevented from taking action,” said an official who chose to remain anonymous

The City had announced last year that ordinary residents, businesses and several government institutions owed a combined N$935 million.

The safety and security ministry is among the biggest defaulters with a bill of N$34 million, followed by defence (N$5.2 million), agriculture (N$3.8 million), Mines and energy (N$1.3 million) and lands (N$570 000).

Namibian Sun understands that the education ministry’s offices at the Government Office Park were also disconnected.

The country two biggest sport venues – the Independence and Hage Geingob stadiums - were also up for disconnection with an outstanding bill of N$1.3 million each.

The City of Windhoek has been struggling to make ends meet in recent years. In 2019 its budget deficit was a whopping N$1.5 billion. That year, the municipality had submitted a N$5.5 billion budget to then urban and rural development minister Peya Mushelenga. The minister slashed the municipality’s capital budget from N$632 million to N$83 million.

Mushelenga also barred the municipality from spending N$632 million on capital projects such as housing because he feared that the municipality wanted to put the financial burden on residents.

Govt silently files for liquidation

February 25, 2021, 2:00 pm

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Govt silently files for liquidationAir Namibia’s wings officially clipped at BIPA Cabinet took a decision to liquidate Air Namibia just a day after Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila spent half a day engaging unions and the SPYL on possibly rescuing the airline. OGONE TLHAGE

WINDHOEK

Government on Monday silently filed for the liquidation of beleaguered national airline Air Namibia despite a massive public outcry over the matter.

Documents seen by Namibian Sun indicate that public enterprise ministry official Cleophas Kaura and Air Namibia lawyer Jerhome Tjizo filed for the company’s liquidation on Monday, the same day that Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila was engaging unions and the Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) on the possibility of Cabinet reversing its decision.

Later that day, public enterprise minister Leon Jooste and finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi appeared on national television to explain the government’s stance, reiterating that it had become unaffordable to bail out the airline.

The two ministers did not reveal on NBC that evening that filing for voluntary liquidation had taken place earlier in the day.

Jooste did not respond yesterday when asked about the status of the airline’s liquidation. Jooste had earlier instructed interim Air Namibia CEO Theo Mberirua to initiate the liquidation process.

The assets

Air Namibia’s assets add up to N$995 million according to its liquidation filing.

· N$15.8 million in its bank accounts

· Two Airbus A319 and four Embraer ERJ aircraft are valued at N$644 million.

· Air Namibia’s vehicles, equipment, and computer hardware are valued at N$19 million.

· Head office is valued at N$22.7 million.

· Money held with the International Air Transport Association amounts to N$84 million.

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The liabilities

Air Namibia’s liabilities amount to N$5.38 billion.

· The Receiver of Revenue is owed N$789 million in unpaid taxes.

· Namibia Airports Company is owed N$708 million.

· Engine manufacturers Aerospace Rolls Royce is owed N$149 million.

· German law firm Herfurth is owned N$145 million.

· Aircraft maintenance service provider Lufthansa Technik is owed N$90 million.

· The Namibia Civil Aviation Authority is owed N$76 million.

· Air traffic control service provider Asecna is owed N$73 million.

· Fuel provider Engen Namibia is owed N$22.9 million.

· The company will also pay out N$105 million to its 629 employees.

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No gem of a year for Namdeb

February 25, 2021, 2:00 pm

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No gem of a year for Namdeb Production at the land operation decreased by 21%, principally as a result of the Covid-19-related shutdown. – Anglo American Jo-Maré Duddy – Covid-19’s “profound impact on global diamond supply and demand” left Nemdeb Holdings with an underlying EBITDA of US$113 million for the 12 months ended 31 December 2020, US$8 million or 6.6% less than its previous book-year.

Announcing its financial results yesterday, Anglo American said last year marked “difficult market conditions” for its subsidiary De Beers. De Beers owns 50% of Namdeb Holdings, while the Namibian government has the rest.

EBITDA stands for earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation and is regarded as a gauge for a company’s profitability. At yesterday’s exchange rate, Namdeb’s underlying EBITDA for 2020 equalled about N$1.66 billion.

The local mining giant contributed about 27% to De Beers total underlying EBITDA of US$417 million, which slumped by around 25% on an annual basis.

Anglo attributed the drop to the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic and measures taken by governments in response.

“Reduced demand from jewellery retailers due to store closures, combined with the closure of diamond cutting and polishing factories in India from April to June, led to a substantial reduction in rough diamond purchases in the first six months. In response, De Beers reduced production and offered significantly increased flexibility to customers,” Anglo said.

PRODUCTION, PRICE

Namdeb’s total production decreased by 300 000 carats or 15% to 1.4 million carats, “primarily due to the suspension of marine mining during part of the third quarter in response to lower demand”. Production at Namdeb’s land operation decreased by 21%, principally as a result of the Covid-19-related shutdown, Anglo said.

De Beers’ average realised price last year decreased by 3% to US$133 per carat. Namdeb’s average realised price was US$492 or N$7 232 per carat. Compared to 2019, Namdeb’s price in US dollars fell by nearly 8%.

Despite the decline, Namdeb’s price still outshone the rest of De Beers’ subsidiaries by far. Botswana’s diamonds on average fetched US$124 per carat, followed by US$99 for diamonds mined in South Africa and US$58 for those produced in Canada.

However, Namdeb’s unit costs were drastically higher than those of the other countries. For the past financial year, Namdeb mined at a unit cost of US$272 per compared to US$53 (South Africa), US$36 (Canada) and US$35 (Botswana).

CAPITAL INVESTMENT

Namdeb’s capital expenditure for 2020 was US$77 million or more than N$1.1 billion, up 40% from 2019.

Namdeb started contruction on a new marine mining vessel – the AMV3 at a total investment of about N$3 billion – in 2019.

According to Anglo, the project is progressing on schedule. The vessel platform is expected in Cape Town in the third quarter of this year for the fitting of the mining and plant equipment. The vessel will be commissioned in 2022.

The new vessel will add 500 000 carats “of some of the highest value diamonds in the portfolio” to De Beers’ annual production, Anglo said.

This will contribute to an expected growth boost in diamond mining in Namibia. According to the Bank of Namibia’s (BoN) Economic Outlook in December, the growth forecast for the sector in 2020 was -14.7%, following -17.7% in 2019. The BoN expects growth of 2.8% in 2021, follwed by 16.9% in 2022.

At current prices, diamond mining is projected to pump nearly N$8.3 billion into the Namibian economy by 2022, an estimated N$1.5 billion more than this year.

Cirrus Securities shares the BoN’s optimism, expecting diamond output to improve this year. However, the analysts in their Economic Outlook 2021 added that a steady recovery in diamond prices was needed.

Cirrus projected a contraction of 12.9% for 2020, followed by growth of 13.9% this year. The analsysts’ growth forecast for the short term is: 9.1% (2022), 4.4% (2023) and 2.3% (2024).

OUTLOOK

Anglo said recent consumer demand trends have been positive in key markets. “Industry inventories are in a healthier position, providing the potential for a continued recovery in rough diamond demand during 2021, subject to the ongoing impact of Covid-19.”

The group expects consumer desirability for natural diamonds to remain high over the medium to long term despite the economic impact of the pandemic and increasing supply of lab-grown diamonds.

In the longer term, Anglo said, the impact of Covid-19 accelerated the transformation that was already underway across the industry and which was expected to continue at pace.

“This includes more efficient inventory management, increased online purchasing, and a growing consumer desire for products with demonstrable ethical and sustainability credentials, including an enhanced appreciation for the natural world.”

Anglo said the long-term outlook for the sector remained positive as “De Beers continues to focus on its business transformation to support the continued growth of its own business and the wider diamond value chain”.

Capricorn: Covid consumes millions in profit

February 25, 2021, 2:00 pm

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Capricorn: Covid consumes millions in profitSpike in impairment charges At the end of 2020, Capricorn Group’s non-performing loans reached N$2.2 billion, up 12.7% compared to the six months ended 31 December 2019. Increased impairment provisions resulted from the extremely challenging economic and market conditions in the wake of imposed lockdowns and other responses to the pandemic. – Capricorn Group Jo-Maré Duddy – An increase of more than N$100 million in impairment charges and a N$41-million loss suffered by Cavmont Bank in Zambia shrunk Capricorn Group’s profit for the six months ended 31 December 2020 by about 23% compared to the same half-year in 2019.

The locally-list group, which includes Bank Windhoek, yesterday reported a profit of about N$428.1 million for the six months under review, a drop of around N$129.1 million year-on-year.

The group’s profit from continuing operations decreased by N$118.8 million, or 20.2%, relative to the pre-Covid-19 comparable period. Capricorn concluded the sale of Cavmont Bank in January 2020.

Releasing its interim financial results on the Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX), Capricorn said the nearly 187%-increase in its impairment provisions “resulted from the extremely challenging economic and market conditions in the wake of imposed lockdowns and other responses to the pandemic”.

The group provided for impairment charges of more than N$155.6 million in its latest half-year results, compared to nearly N$54.3 million in the corresponding six months in 2019.

NPLs, INTEREST

Capricorn, whose subsidiaries include the local lender Entrepo and Bank Gaberone in Botswana, said its non-performing loans (NPLs) increased by 12.7% year-on-year (y/y) to N$2.2 billion. A loan is regarded as an NPL when the borrower hasn’t made payments on the interest or principal debt for more than 90 days.

The group’s NPL ratio rose from 4.7% to 5.2% during the period under review, against the industry benchmark of 3%. “Due to the significant increase in provision for expected credit losses the NPL coverage ratio increased to 53.2% (December 2019: 44.8%),” Capricorn said.

The group reported net interest income of nearly N$856.6 million, a drop of 17% from the N$1.03 billion in its 2019 book-year.

“Net interest income and interest margins were negatively impacted during 2020 following significant interest rate cuts of 275 basis points by Bank of Namibia and 100 basis points by Bank of Botswana,” Capricorn said in a statement.

The group added: “Despite the interest rate cuts, net interest margin reductions of Bank Windhoek and Bank Gaborone were well contained at only 0.53% and 0.38% y/y respectively. This was achieved mainly through effective management of cost of funding. Entrepo had seen growth of 26.9% in net interest income.”

INCOME, EXPENSES

Non-interest income increased by 3.2% y/y to nearly N$706.4 million. This was achieved “despite the difficult operating environment and the material impact of the Covid-19 preventative regulations on financial activities across the regions where we operate,” Capricorn said.

The group attributed the growth mainly to a 5.6% increase in income from electronic channels and asset management fee income increasing by 13% to N$77.4 million. “This achievement highlights the positive impact of the group’s diversification strategy in cushioning the impact of the steep interest rate cuts experienced,” Capricorn said.

Growth in income from electronic channels and asset management fees were offset by a decline of 22.7% in trading revenue, it added.

Capricorn’s expenses were just above N$986 million, up 2.4% from the same half-year in 2019.

“Roughly 80% of the group’s operating expenses are fixed and could not be adjusted in line with lower expected income since the onset of the pandemic. In addition, a significant part of the group’s technology costs, which increased by 21.5% year-on-year, are denominated in US dollar and was severely impacted by a weakening of the Namibian dollar against the US dollar,” it said.

LOAN BOOK

Capricorn’s gross loans and advances increased by 1.8% to N$41.8 billion during the past half-year.

According to the group, Bank Windhoek’s gross advances increased by 4.8% to N$34.7 billion, exceeding annualised private sector credit extension growth of 2.0%. “The growth was mainly attributable to commercial loans, overdrafts and mortgage loans reflecting how the bank supported the local economy,” Capricorn said.

Bank Gaborone increased gross advances by 2.3% to 4.8 billion pula. “Due to a deterioration of the pula, its loans and advances decreased by 4.7% in Namibian dollar terms,” Capricorn said. Entrepo’s loan book increased by 10.6%.

Capricorn said it remained well capitalised with a total risk-based capital adequacy ratio of 14.1%, well above the minimum regulatory capital requirement of 10%. “The strong capital position will stand the group in good stead whilst navigating the perfect storm brought about by the Covid-19 economic shock,” it added.

The group declared an interim dividend of 22c per ordinary share. The interim dividend per share for the period under review is 10% higher than the final dividend per share of 20c declared during September 2020.

Capricorn is listed on the Local Index of the NSX. It closed Wednesday at N$10.12 per share. It ended last year at N$12.97 per share.

On Wednesday, Capricorn’s market capitalisation by total shares in issue was N$5.254 billion, making it the third biggest company on the Local Index after FirstRand Namibia (N$6.173 billion) and Namibia Breweries (N$6.404 billion).

An amazing journey with the Deloitte family

February 25, 2021, 2:00 pm

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An amazing journey with the Deloitte familyA family man who enjoys learning new things every day Ramsay McDonald is the managing partner for Deloitte Namibia and has been with the auditing firm for 32 years. Monique Adams



Ramsay McDonald completed high school at Kimberley Boys' High in South Africa in 1984. After school he was fortunate to get funded in part by a bursary from Pim Goldby (the predecessor of Deloitte) and partly by his father to study for a Bachelor of Commerce and a postgraduate diploma in accounting at the University of Cape Town from 1985 to 1988.

In 1989 he passed the board examination to qualify as a chartered accountant and completed his training contract with Deloitte.

“I spent two years with the Kimberley Deloitte office in a manager capacity before going on a short-term secondment to Deloitte in the United Kingdom, the Winnersh office. I then joined the Deloitte Namibian office in 1993 until 1997 and transferred to the Deloitte Cape Town office where I eventually became partner in 1999,” he says.

McDonald says that being in this position has been nothing but exciting. Last year was challenging but it was also interesting to see how people in the organisation dealt with the pandemic. New ways of working were invented and perfected.

He mentions that the most important accomplishments in life are often personal more than professional.

Becoming a qualified chartered accountant has opened a lot of doors for McDonald, even though it was not an easy process, and he can look back with absolute certainty that it was the right thing to do.

One of the many accomplishments he is proud of is being involved through­out his career with an entity of the De Beers Group of companies as a client, being involved in the drafting of regulations and being part of a team that started the Namibian Graduate School of Accounting.

The Namibian Graduate School of Accounting started the accreditation of local universities so that the time needed for Namibians with a Namibian degree to qualify as chartered accountants was shortened.

A challenge that he is currently facing is the turmoil that the profession is going through with increased regulation, increased monitoring by the regulators, significant adverse events and publicity putting the profession under increased scrutiny.

“The expectation gap between what auditors do and what the market would like us to do is not getting any narrower. We are focused on continuously raising the bar on audit quality requiring us to do more work to complete an audit,” he says.

“With a shortage of professional skills in Namibia we have a programme in place to train and qualify Namibians in various professional qualifications – notably the chartered accountant qualification but also in IT, internal audit, tax and HR to mention a few.”

Being part of the Namibian Deloitte family, what makes him proud is their contribution to the training and qualification of Namibian professionals. With what the firm has done in Namibia through investment in bursary schemes, the training programmes that they run and the support that they provide to individuals that made the choice to become not only a chartered accountant but a certified information specialist, taxation specialist, internal auditors and HR professionals. The work that the firm does through delivering auditing services, tax accounting and risk management advisory services makes a difference to their clients, markets and the public at large. This is a tremendously satisfying experience.

A typical day for Ramsay starts at 07:00 after dropping his son off at school. Then he would use the hour before the day officially starts to go through the emails that have arrived overnight, answering those that need immediate action and catching up with the day's news.

From there it typically starts with a series of meetings dealing with internal management related issues and a lot of Zoom or Skype calls.

One thing he would tell his younger self is to relax. “You are going down a path that you will enjoy, feel challenged and inspired by and that will deliver what you hoped for.” His best childhood memory is Sunday lunches with the family because it was time to relax with everyone that he loves.

“My son and I have started a project to restore a classic Mini, which I am looking forward to. It will give me a different challenge. I am also in the process of restoring a VW beetle for my daughter,” he says.

His advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is: “Believe in your ideas and have the courage to go after them and, most importantly, surround yourself with quality people and ideas. There may well be sacrifices, disappointments and failures along the way but if you persevere and remain true to your values you will eventually be ­successful.”



1. Facts about McDonald

a. Married with two children. Gabi, my daughter is aged 21 and studying to be a speech therapist at UCT in Cape Town and Ramsay (Jnr), my son, is aged 15 who is at St Paul's College in Grade 10.

b. I have now lived in Namibia the longest of any places in my life at a total of 22 out of my 54 years.

c. I have been with Deloitte for 32 years and worked in four different offices in three different countries and have not worked for any other company.

d. I have been a partner in the firm for 22 years.

e. Deloitte has taken me to 10 different countries for work purposes on three continents and two islands. I have worked with clients that have had representation on six of the seven continents.

f. I was named after the first Labour Party member to become the British Prime Minister in 1924 and with my son, will continue a family tradition of having the name Ramsay for four generations.

g. My son and daughter have both caught larger fishes than I have – My daughter with a 14 kg barbel and my son with 5.4 kg tiger fish.

h. No list of facts about me would be complete without mentioning that I drive a Mustang and enjoy every minute of it. Have you ever seen an unhappy Mustang driver?

NPBWCB gets interim board

February 28, 2021, 2:00 pm

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NPBWCB gets interim board Mengo, Naule’s names emerge Former remaining Namibia Professional Boxing and Wrestling Control Board members Bernhard Haufiku and Joe Shikongo have allegedly given way to new blood. Jesse Jackson Kauraisa







WINDHOEK

The sports ministry has allegedly appointed prominent former hockey player Magreth Mengo and Khomas Boxing Federation chairperson Jason Naule as interim Namibia Professional Boxing and Wrestling Control Board members.

Namibian Sun has been reliably informed that Mengo and Naule were also accompanied by three other members whose names remain sketchy at the moment.

This after the ministry resorted to dissolving the former board, which was led by Bernhard Haufiku.

“I understand that there are new people on the board who will serve for a period of three months.

“At this moment, I do not think that it has been announced yet because I believe they are waiting for the minister to make an official announcement.

“I do not know if they have also entirely gotten rid of Bernhard Haufiku because I understand he might be part of the future plans,” a source said.

Namibian Sun understands Mengo will serve as the interim board’s chairperson.

Unravelling

Problems at the board began last year after one of its members Trevor Mills tendered his resignation.

This year, it was also revealed that lawyer Saima Nghihalwa and director of commerce at the industrialisation ministry Maria Pogisho both resigned from the board.

The resignations confirmed the troubles reported by Mills, who said he and the board were supposed to meet to discuss the situation, but this never materialised as no one made the effort to meet him last year.

Appointed in October 2019, the former board members’ term was due to run for three years.

The board was, however, deemed unfit to run the affairs of boxing after remaining with only two members.

This resulted in former chairperson Haufiku calling for the dissolvement of the board.

Sports minister Agnes Tjongarero eventually dissolved the board following media reports.

Attempts to get comment from the officials before going to print proved futile.

US soccer scraps 'no kneel' anthem policy after vote

February 28, 2021, 2:00 pm

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US soccer scraps 'no kneel' anthem policy after vote NAMPA/AFP



United States Soccer has formally scrapped a controversial policy banning players from kneeling during the national anthem on Saturday following a vote of members at the federation's annual meeting.

US Soccer's board of directors repealed the policy last year, but the decision required confirmation by the full membership of the ruling body.

At Saturday's meeting, the board's decision to scrap the rule was backed by 71% of voters, with 29% against.

Explaining the decision to repeal the policy last year, US Soccer said the rule was wrong and reflected a failure of the federation to address the concerns of black people and other minorities.

Solidarity

The rule ordering players to "stand respectfully" for the US national anthem was introduced in 2017.

It came after US women's star Megan Rapinoe took a knee for the anthem at a 2016 international in a gesture of solidarity with former National Football League star Colin Kaepernick.

The United States Soccer Federation faced mounting pressure to review the no-kneel policy following nationwide protests sparked by the death of unarmed black man George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis last year.

Kaepernick's take-a-knee protest became an emblematic expression of solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement adopted during anti-racism demonstrations around the world.

Kaepernick began kneeling during the anthem in August 2016 in order to draw attention to racial injustice following the deaths of several unarmed black men during confrontations with police.

Covid-19 halts NFA referee course

February 28, 2021, 2:00 pm

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Covid-19 halts NFA referee course SPORTS REPORTER



WINDHOEK

The Namibia Football Association (NFA) has postponed a women’s football referee course due to Covid-19.

The course, which was supposed to be held from 1 to 5 March, has been pushed back after the virus hit the NFA’s referee department, with two senior officials testing positive recently.

“As a necessary precaution, we have decided to halt it until further notice. This is in line with our protocols on our active response to Covid-19,” NFA secretary-general Franco Cosmos said.

He further wished the officials a speedy recovery.

“This virus can strike anywhere, any time, and we surely have to remain vigilant and take all the necessary care as advised by the professionals. I wish my colleagues all the best in their recovery.”

NFA technical director Jacqui Shipanga echoed Cosmos’ sentiments.

“We should follow the advice of the experts indeed and postpone accordingly. We will do everything necessary to prevent it from spreading among our people.”

Toulouse end La Rochelle's run

February 28, 2021, 2:00 pm

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Toulouse end La Rochelle's run Two years of dominance Matsushima scored the second of Clermont's eight tries with Fiji-born French international wing Alivereti Raka touching down twice. NAMPA/AFP







Toulouse inflicted La Rochelle's first home loss in the Top 14 in two years on Saturday with a 14-11 victory which allowed them to claim pole position on the table.

La Rochelle hadn't been defeated at their Stade Marcel-Deflandre fortress since March 2019 when they were also beaten by the 20-time champions.

They were on course to avenge that setback on Saturday when they led 8-0 at the break thanks to a try from Fijian centre Levani Botia and a Jules Plisson penalty.

Australian fly-half Zack Holmes kept Toulouse in touch with three penalties, but a successful kick from Kiwi fly-half Ihaia West allowed La Rochelle some breathing space at 11-9.

But with Australian lock Will Skelton in the sin-bin, Toulouse grabbed their only try of the night from veteran French centre Yoann Huget with just six minutes left to claim victory.

‘Disappointed’

"We are disappointed but we have an understanding of what we must do better," said La Rochelle's New Zealand back-rower Victor Vito, a former World Cup winner.

"It's better to learn now from our errors than later in the final phase. We are not very far from Toulouse.

"Our lack of discipline cost us the match. Also, we were the only undefeated team at home and it's over. But that's the case with all the teams now."

Earlier, Japan full-back Kotaro Matsushima scored his fifth try of the season as Clermont piled the misery on the Top 14's bottom side Agen in a 52-16 bonus-point thrashing.

The match was rearranged from round 16 when it was postponed because of Covid-19 cases in the Clermont camp.

Last weekend, Clermont hammered fellow strugglers Bayonne 73-3, making it 18 tries and 125 points in two weeks.

They remain in fourth place on 55 points, just six behind Toulouse.

Agen remain rooted to the bottom of the table with just two points and destined for relegation.

They have now lost all 17 matches this season, the worst start for any team ever in the Top 14.

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Omukithi gwekondo nelaka gwa kondololwa mOnooli

February 28, 2021, 2:00 pm

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Omukithi gwekondo nelaka gwa kondololwa mOnooliOshigwana unene aaniimuna ya mbalipalelwa Uuministeli wuunamapya owa holola kutya omukithi gwekondo nelaka ngoka gwa dhidhilikwa moshitopolwa shonooli konyala omweedhi gumwe gwa piti ngashiingeyi oguli kohi yekondololo. ELLANIE SMIT







OVENDUKA

Kwiikwatelelwa kolopota ndjoka ya pitithwa kuuministeli etukuko lyomukithi ngoka olya lopotelwa oshikondo shuunamapya shaUs muNovemba gwomvula ya piti.

Omupeha omukomeho gwomauyelele goshigwana muuministeli mboka, Chrispin Matongela, okwa holola kutya oshikondo shuunamapya shaUS osha holola sha mbilipalelwa kuuyelele mboka wa gandjwa.

Omukithi gekondo nelaka ogwa dhidhilikwa moNamibia momasiku 28 gaSepetemba mo2020 moshitopolwa shaKavango East na ogwa taandele moKavango West, Ohangwena, Oshikoto nOshana.

Etukuko ndyoka olya etitha aanafaalama yaAmerica ya pule epangelo lyaandjawo opo li hulithepo etumo lyonyama momalanditho gaandjawo okuza moNamibia.

Pahapu dhaMatongela oshipotha shahugunina shomukithi ngoka osha lopota momasiku 20 gaJanuari momukunda Ekuli moshikandjohogololo Tondoro moKavango West. Okwa popi kutya uuministeli kawu na omalimbililo getaandelo lyomukithi ngoka koUs molwaashoka onyama ndjoka hayi tulwa momalanditho ngoka inayi za moshitopolwwa shoka sha lopotwa omukithi.

Matongela okwa tsikile kutya onyama ndjoka hayi tumwa koUS oyoongombe dhomoshitopolwa shoka inashi lopotwa omukithi na ohadhi tomenwa mokatomeno kaMeatco mOvenduka.

“Otuntila yoongombe otayi pula nawa komeho na otatu tsu omukumo aanafaalama opo ya fale iimuna yawo kiigunda hoka taku ningilwa iikonga yotuntila oshiluku shotango oshowo oshitiyali, uuna ya pulwa koshikondo shuundjolowele wiimuna.”

Omunambelewa omukomeho gwaMeatco, Mwilima Mushokabanji okwa popi kutya Namibia oku na omulandu tagu longo nawa gwoLivestock Identification and Traceability System.

Okwa gwedha po kutya omusinda omutiligane gwoVeterinary Cordon Fence ngoka gwa kala miilonga okuza momvula yo 1925 otagu longo mokukandeka etaandelo lyomikithi dhiimuna.

Uumbudhi nuulingiingi owa pumbwa okuvudhwamo mOshilando-Amupanda

February 28, 2021, 2:00 pm

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Uumbudhi nuulingiingi owa pumbwa okuvudhwamo mOshilando-Amupanda NAMPA



OVENDUKA

Mayola gwoshilandopangelo, Job Amupanda okwa popi kutya ngele elelo lyoshilando olya hala okuninga omalunduluko mOvenduka nena oshindji osha pumbwa okuningwa mwakwatelwa okukutha mo oompito dhokuyaka dhaamboka haya longo uulingilingi.

Amupanda okwa popi ngaaka pethimbo lyomutumba gwelelo lyoshilando ngoka gwa ningwa mEtine lyoshiwike sha piti.

Mayola okwa popi kutya uumbangi otawu ulike kutya oshindji osha pumbwa okuningwa mOvenduka opo ku vule okuningwa omalunduluko.

Oongangala naalunga oya pumbwa okukanitha emanguluko lyawo lyokuningila aantu omambandameko naamboka ihaya longo osha oya pumbwa okukanitha oompito dhawo dhokukala kaye na shoka taya ningi.

Okwa gwedha po kutya mompito kehe yimwe ndjoka tayi kuthwa oshigwana, oshigwana osha pumbwa okupewa oompito omulongo. Omulandithi gwiingangamithi okwa pumbwa okulundululwa nokuningwa omunangeshfa gwoshili, ongangala oya pumbwa okuzulwa nokuninga omuleli gwoshigwana esiku limwe, omufukethi okwa pumbwa okulundululwa nokuningwa omukwashigwana e na olukeno, naangoka ina itaali momalunduluko okwa pumbwa okuninga omulundululi gwOvenduka.

Elelo lyaVenduka olya kunkilile woo aakalimo mboka ye na oongunga dheelelo opo ya fute nenge omayakulo gawo ga tetweko.

‘Not me’: Calle distances himself from scam impersonation

February 28, 2021, 2:00 pm

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‘Not me’: Calle distances himself from scam impersonation ELLANIE SMIT



WINDHOEK

The agriculture and lands ministry has warned the public against a scam fraudulently using the name of minister Calle Schlettwein to solicit funds.

The ministry says small businesses have received invitations to apply for grants for agricultural programmes in Namibia, with the purported aim of improving the country’s economy and contributing to job creation.

The invitations were purported to come from agriculture minister Calle Schlettwein, using a Google email address, calleschlettwein2@gmail.com, which the ministry said does not belong to the minister.

According to the ministry, a Namibian citizen fell for this scam and applied for the supposed grant on 10 February.

He was subsequently notified that his application for a coronavirus relief grant of £30 000 (N$620 649) had been successful and he was requested to pay an ‘insurance fee’ of £200 (N$4 137).

The man smelled a rat and contacted the minister’s office to confirm the authenticity of the offer.

We are not a rich nation - Geingob

February 28, 2021, 2:00 pm

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We are not a rich nation - Geingob NAMPA



WINDHOEK

President Hage Geingob says Namibia is still a poor country and it ought to be recognised as such.

Namibia was classified as an upper-middle income state from its status of a middle-income country by the World Bank and the classification, according to Geingob, will affect the support the country will receive especially during the Covid-19 crisis.

“The country is poor and we ought to be recognised as such. The per capita income looks high but the wealth distribution to the rest of the people is not equal,” he said.

Geingob was responding to questions by journalists during the 25th Covid-19 public briefing, which was held in Windhoek on Wednesday in reference to the country being classified as an upper-middle-income state.

The president added that apart from other negative impacts that the classification has had on the country, including the inability of the country to

access much-needed soft loans and other assistance, it has also had an impact on the country accessing the coronavirus vaccine.

‘Unfair’

According to him, before anyone or any country decides to support Namibia, even with the vaccine, they will look at the per capita income and, at the moment, Namibia is seen as a rich nation.

“This is unfair... We are not a rich nation. When people are trying to give these Covid-19 vaccines, they will first look at the per capita income and most

will say we are rich and thus we must buy. Even those who are trying to donate to us will say ‘we will only give you this much and the rest you must

buy’, but that is not fair because it affects us,” Geingob said.

The head of state explained that the upper classification was determined by dividing the country’s gross domestic product by its population, which

indicates a high per capita income, which he said does not mean the country is rich.

“We are rich in that regard, but I always argued that we come from an apartheid background - the country was divided so they could not just say the

country is rich as if the wealth distribution was equal. That is a battle I have been waging since independence,” Geingob said.

Air Namibia pilots face bleak future

February 28, 2021, 2:00 pm

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Air Namibia pilots face bleak future 75% of licences expired The closure of Air Namibia is expected to affect the livelihoods of 4 500 people, Namibia Airline Pilots Association president Heino Jakob said. FRANCOISE STEYNBERG







WINDHOEK

The licences of at least 75% of Air Namibia’s pilots have expired, according to the Namibia Airline Pilots Association (NAPA).

Speaking on Namibian Sun’s sister publication Republikein’s current affairs show, ‘Kletskompas’, NAPA president Heino Jakob said the grounding of the airline due to the Covid-19 pandemic resulted in the expiration of the pilots’ licences.

With the imminent liquidation of the airline, Jakob said it would be difficult for its pilots to find meaningful employment elsewhere.

“Even if you are lucky enough to get a job, it would mean you have to leave Namibia, your friends, family and your culture with an eviction order in your hand. Seventy-seven professional Namibian airline pilots may be redundant and without hope of continuing their aviation careers. For some of us, it’s not just a job but a lifestyle,” Jakob said.

Thousands of livelihoods affected

The closure of Air Namibia is expected to affect the livelihoods of 4 500 people, Jakob said.

According to him, it has been proven worldwide that once an airline closes, it often takes huge effort and enormous financial resources to establish a new one.

He predicted that it could take up to five years should government decide to start a new airline.

“If we ever started a new airline again, most of the pilots, ground staff and cabin crew would have taken a different career path,” Jakob said.