Namibian Sun

FNB cautions public against eWallet scam

Head of transactional banking at First National Bank (FNB), Jerome Namaseb has cautioned the public against a new scam that enables fraudsters to access and manage customers’ eWallet accounts on the FNB App.

Namaseb recently said the new scam is making rounds and therefore urged customers to take note of how it works to protect themselves.

First, a fraudster will select a random cell phone number and attempt to link the eWallet of the selected number to their own smartphone, which triggers a notification with a One Time Pin (OTP) asking to confirm if the customer is indeed the one attempting to link their wallet. The fraudster then calls the client with a fake excuse to attempt to obtain the OTP. Unsuspecting clients then give up the OTP which allows the fraudsters to access their eWallets for future transfers and withdrawals, he explained.

According to Namaseb, the OTP is sufficient control as it seeks authorisation of the account or wallet, warning that customers should not give their OTP to anyone as this step is crucial to protecting their funds.

“As with any Personal Identification Number (PIN) or password do not give your OTP to anyone. If anyone calls you claiming to be from the bank, and asks you for your OTP or a pin or password of any kind, hang up the phone immediately and report the incident to the bank. We reiterate again that FNB, will never request any security information from you over the phone and you, in turn, should never give out any information over the phone. Please remain vigilant and protect your hard-earned cash at all times,” cautioned Namaseb.-Nampa

PESBET out to change lives

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa

WINDHOEK

Premier Sports Trading (PESBET) CEO and co-founder Steve Hamunyela says the betting company - which employs over 300 Namibians - decided to invest in football because it provides for the youth.

This after Civics became the first club during the transitional league era to secure a big sponsorship from the company.

PESBET announced the N$550 000 sponsorship of the Khomasdal-based club recently.

“PESBET follows the Namibia Premier Football League [NPFL] with keen interest because we are in the business of sport and we love the beautiful game of football.

“We noticed that there are many opportunities within Namibian sport if we get our mindset right. Civics football team displayed what we look for in a team and they knocked on our door with a very interesting proposal which we found mutually beneficial to both parties,” Hamunyela said.

He added that his company is aware that many football clubs face the struggle of lack of sponsorship to cover basic operations.

“We are positive that this sponsorship will assist Civics Football Club to become more effective, efficient and ultimately play better football and hopefully win the league season,” he noted.

Gratitude

The betting company has already hinted at extending the sponsorship after this season, provided that Civics handles the money in a responsible manner.

Civics football club chairman Donnelly Nell expressed gratitude towards PESBET for considering the club.

“The financial injection of our sponsor covers the bulk of cost for players, including operational costs.

“Finding a dedicated sponsor such as PESBET is not easy and we should, therefore, be grateful and appreciate them,” he said.

The chairman also promised that the club would do what it takes to make sure that they keep their sponsors happy and that they get a return on their money.

Deputy minister of Sport Emma Kantema-Gaomas lauded the company for taking the bold step and has encouraged other companies to follow its footsteps in a bid to professionalise sport in Namibia.

Van Rooyen in need of assistanceRugby player diagnosed in 2019 Mathys van Rooyen has lost his ability to walk or speak and his medical fees are high.

Limba Mupetami

WINDHOEK

Former rugby player for the Namibian national team Mathys van Rooyen is a shadow of the strong, capable man he once was.

Unable to walk or speak, he spends most of his time at home after he was diagnosed with motor neuron disease (MND) in 2019.

His journey so far has been difficult as well as heartbreaking, prompting family and friends to join hands and minds to make his life as comfortable as possible.

One such friend and former teammate is Jacques Burger, the former captain of the Namibian senior rugby side.

Burger took to Twitter to call on Doddie Gump – a mass participation event which raises awareness and funds for MND – to help Van Rooyen.

“He has lost his ability to walk [and] speak, and [his] medical costs are high. What can I, we do to help him?” Burger tweeted.

When contacted yesterday, Burger said he is talking to people in the United Kingdom, and that locally any help would be appreciated to aid his friend.

Son of the soil

Van Rooyen represented the national team during the 1999 Rugby World Cup which was hosted by Wales, and has over the years committed himself to domestic and national rugby as he has unselfishly contributed at various coaching levels throughout Namibia, especially at school level where he made a significant impact.

MND is an uncommon condition that affects the brain and nerves. It causes weakness that gets worse over time.

There's no cure for MND, but there are treatments to help reduce the impact it has on a person's daily life. Some people live with the condition for many years.

MND can significantly shorten life expectancy and, unfortunately, eventually leads to death.

Rugby players like former Springboks Joost van der Westhuizen and Tinus Linee also suffered and succumbed to MND. The two were diagnosed in 2011 and 2013 respectively. Linee died in 2014, while Van der Westhuizen lost his battle against the disease in 2017.

Former Scotland and British and Irish Lions forward Doddie Weir and former Leeds Rhinos Rugby League player Rob Burrow are also fighting the crippling disease.

Those interested in assisting can contact the M7 Trust at m7.trust@gmail.com.

Will this generation throw stones on Geingob’s grave?

Anything that does not start does not end well. Also, if the house’s foundation is poorly compacted, the house will have cracks and will eventually collapse and the owner will be homeless. Ironically, this is exactly what is happening to the Nama and Ovaherero communities.

The end of the negotiations between the Namibian and German governments has left the two affected communities homeless again and it can be translated that this is the second genocide committed by both governments towards the siblings of victims and survivors of the first one.

Let me quote from the prayer of Paramount Chief Katjikururume Kutako: “The birds have nests to sleep in the wild, animals have holes to sleep in, but a human being has no dwelling place to sleep in”.

This goes to Dr Hage Geingob and Dr Zed Ngavirue: If you sign this no-deal agreement, be assured that you have left the Ovaherero and Nama communities homeless with no dwelling place.

The exclusion of the affected communities was the first mistake our president committed. Then again at ministerial level, the desk of negotiations was given to a person who is not a victim of genocide while both affected communities have qualified people who were also former ambassadors and high commissioners who were supposed to head that desk on behalf of their own people.

We needed people with passion and affection towards the negotiations, not just any Namibian to be appointed there.

Geingob has continuously ignored the call from the majority groups of victims who feel the process has been wrongly initiated, but the president was very ignorant and arrogant towards the victims and did not listen to them. His team concluded a raw deal that will have no substance and impact to Ovaherero and Nama people and the entire Namibian nation.

Fiction, not fact

The excuses from the Geingob administration that the right wing in Germany will be part of the regime after their election and we will end up with nothing is just fiction and there is no factual evidence to that effect. How do you base the reparations of your people on wrong political arguments or analysis until you rush into a ‘no deal’ that will satisfy the perpetrators, not the victims?

“Only the victims feel the pain, not the perpetrators neither the observers.”

Mr President, we the victims feel the pain and please hear our call and don’t sign that deal with Germany.

The genocide committed by Germany does not need right-wing or left-wing government to approve or to disapprove what their ancestors committed; we just need the German government to accept on behalf of every German citizen.

We need every German citizen to come to his/her senses and accept the wrong that took place then; even if it will take another 100 years to negotiate, the end result must make the victims’ decedents happy and the Namibian, African and world nations at large must be proud of the negotiations.

If Cabinet has resolved to signed the ‘no deal’ to the victims then our Namibian government has resolved to commit a second genocide.

The president has claimed that the Namibian government is representing the victims in this deal but now from what we are hearing and seeing, even the affected communities who have joined the negotiations table are not happy. In fact, Ngavirue has betrayed his own people and will go back to his ancestors with no answer why he settled for this ‘no deal’.

No deal

Even though the Germans have accepted that they committed genocide, that is still with reservations according to their minister of foreign affairs. We still have to hear what the apologies will sound like from the German president but even if these two are in place, the issue of reparations has not been dealt with. It remains a ‘no deal’ to the affected communities.

What is so difficult to declare that the negotiations did not reach consensus on the reparations part and thus is declared over until the next government will come in place? With this, my question remains: Will this money go to some other parts of Namibia and benefit the elites only?

We, the decedents of the victims of the 1904-1908 genocide, will not settle for anything less than N$1 trillion over the same period of 30 years. Will the Ovaherero and Nama generation throw stones on the tombstones of Geingob and Ngavirue or will they decorate it with flowers and roses? I rest my case.

*Vetaruhe Kandorozu is a retired politician.

Lack of fiscal decentralisation must be reviewed

Financial decentralisation is the model of allocating funds or budgetary decision-making powers and management responsibilities to the lower level of government. In other words, it’s a process of allocating funds to the 57 local authorities, which cover 13 municipal councils, 26 town councils and 18 village councils.

With the number of municipal councils, town councils and village councils orderly arranged, one can only expect that the central government - via the ministries of finance and urban and rural development - could reconsider the methodology of allocating funds to the local authorities currently in use to a fairer and transparent manner. Such can happen if the state adopts an established formula that speaks to the particular local authority’s needs. That formula must be known to all stakeholders to avert an opinion of unfairness. The existing funds allocation method has no basis and is done on a thumb-suck model, which is superficial. Local authorities submit their budgetary needs to the central government via the ministry of urban and rural development, and the odds are always 99% that local authorities’ financial requests are hardly met.

If any local authority expenditure needs are not properly balanced with the resources available, this could result in local authority deficits and incurrence debts. This happens, given that local authorities are advised by the central government to have a balanced budget as if all funding for the particular local authority is secured and assured. Since this would have an important outcome for macroeconomic conditions and the ability of the central government to rely on fiscal policy as a tool to manage macro-economic conditions, central government often requires local authorities to balance their budgets. The latter approach from the central government is imposing a retrogressive budgetary approach to the local authority given that local authorities are expected to have savings after financial year-end. That saving would then translate into what would be known as funds in the reserve, which would then be exclusively reserved for capital infrastructure.

The fundamental question would then be: How could local authorities be in the position to have reserves if their budgetary models are based on a balanced budget?

Regional capitals

As it stands, most local authorities that may perhaps have excess funds after every year- end are those that have been and continue to benefit from how government created a space conditioned to have regions with one town crowned as the regional capital.

It’s evident that all regional capitals are the enablers of the activities mostly boosted by state ventures, and investors would again follow those ventures that in return benefit only regional capitals at the expense of the other local authorities that are not crowned as regional capitals. When the government, a ministry, a state-owned enterprise or any private institution wishes to host an event of great magnitude, they first have to establish whether the proposed town(s) have facilities that could accommodate the envisaged capacity. Again, such lack of facilities in towns that are not crowned as regional capitals is the result of the imbalanced injection of capital investment. That could in a way snowball to private individuals as investors are likely to have their funds locked in the financial institutions because it’s not worth investing in a town that has less activities. At the same time, the same investor(s)will be reluctant to invest resources into towns (regional capitals) that are flooded with the same activities of their target market.

To be practical, let’s use the Otjozondjupa Region as an example. The region has five local authorities: Okahandja, Okakarara, Otjiwarongo, Otavi and Grootfontein. Because of the ‘regional capital’ tag allotted to Otjiwarongo, all the government’s regional head offices are built and will be built there. Such a system creates an economic advantage over the other municipalities and towns that are found in Otjozondjupa. This is simply because those government offices are part of the large users of municipal services, and it’s a given that the state will pay for their municipal users. Not that the economical edge is only created by the state ventures that are there; by and large, those offices have employees who owns houses within that particular regional capital, and their contributions in the form of municipal services equally translates into a fraction of reserve funds for that particular municipal council.

Laggards

This sad state of affairs is found all over the country, in 14 regions, that would then prompt the ordinary citizen to question why Outapi has grown significantly in comparison to Okahao. In the eyes of many who don’t understate this unfair arrangement, the municipalities, towns and village councils that do not enjoy the regional capital tag are regarded as the laggards.

These laggards became victims of circumstance due to the adopted system by central government; the system that only builds regional offices in regional capitals.

To justify my storyline, the mass housing project is another case in point - building of mass houses were only piloted in the regional capitals.

It is then correct to say that adopting a fair fiscal allocation formula and, most importantly, spreading state ventures to different towns would unlock potential growth at the towns currently not enjoying the regional capital tag.

*Ileni Hainghumbi is a social order specialist from Onhuno in the Ohangwena Region.

Defender 90 ready to tackle South AfricaMost connected Land Rover to date The Defender 90 is the most capable and connected Land Rover to date and can trace its roots back to the original Series I model of 1948.

The Defender 110, introduced in South Africa midway through 2020, was just the start for this family of some of the most capable and durable 4x4s in the world. It has now been followed by the compact, short wheelbase Defender 90.

Available in South Africa now, the Defender 90 is the most capable and connected Land Rover to date and can trace its roots back to the original Series I model of 1948. At launch, the model range comprises the base Defender S, X-Dynamic, First Edition and top-of-the-range Defender X models, each sold with a choice of four engine options.

As an entry point to the range, the Defender S features standard equipment including LED headlights with auto high beam assist, keyless entry, Ebony grained leather with woven textile seat facings, Pivi Pro 10” touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an interactive driver display among others. Driver assistance features include items such as Terrain Response, 3D surround cameras, emergency braking, lane keep assist, 360-degree parking aid, wade sensing and a driver condition monitor.

The X-Dynamic model bridges the gap between Defender and Defender X with a tough exterior look and unique interior fittings to set it apart from the rest of the line-up. It features gloss painted Narvik Black exterior door and wheel arch cladding with Silicon Satin skid pans.

Exterior

On the range-topping X derivative, the gloss black inset contrast hood is standard along with Gloss Black claddings. To give further differentiation between the X and Core vehicles, the front and rear skid pans and other detailed exterior parts are coated in a Starlight Satin finish while brake callipers are painted orange, the dashboard cross beam is a dark grey powder coat brushed finish and door sill treadplates are illuminated with Defender script.

The X also sees air suspension is fitted as standard along with an electronic active rear differential, configurable Terrain Response 2, a sliding panoramic roof, Matrix LED headlights, 14-way heated and cooled front seats, ClearSight interior rear-view mirror and a head-up display among others.

The Defender First Edition, available for one year from launch, is available in Pangea Green, Gondwana Stone or Hakuba Silver, with a folding fabric sunroof incorporated in the contrast white roof. Standard fare includes air suspension, 12-way heated seats, an electrically adjustable steering column ClearSight rear view mirror and 20-inch alloys.

The iconic 4x4 embraces 21st century technologies and introduces Land Rover’s Pivi infotainment, which features an intuitive interface and its own back-up battery for always-on responses. - MOTORPRESS

Unam conducts maize, mahangu seed evaluation trials

TUYEIMO HAIDULA

OSHAKATI

THE University of Namibia (Unam) will conduct maize and mahangu seed evaluation trials for a period of five years. The project is expected to research the seeds of other potential crops such as vegetables that are currently imported in the country.

The trials will be done in collaboration with the Namibia Agronomic Board (NAB), which intends to produce adaptable seeds for farmers to ensure that the country is able to produce its own food rather than importing.

Seed variety is currently being assessed at the Ogongo campus, with the aim of seeing progress made with the planting of white maize and pearl millet seed trails.

Omusati governor Erginus Endjala, who spoke at the seed project day last Friday held under the theme ‘promoting food security through seed research and production’, said it is concerning that the country is only able to produce an annual average of 28% and 57% of mahangu and maize grains consumed in Namibia.

This, Endjala said, leaves the country with an average grain deficit of 72% for mahangu and 43% for maize.

Food security

Sharing the same sentiments, Unam lead research professor Rhoda Birech is also worried that Namibia remains a net importer of both agronomic and horticultural seeds, a gap which the ongoing seed variety research aims to address.

As a result, seeds research trials are currently being done at three other stations - Mashare Irrigation Project, Zambezi Vocational Training Centre and Doringboom Unam.

"No country can be food secure if it has no seed of its own. Thus, the idea of planting seed variety is to see which ones best adapt in what condition and in order to best distribute it to other farmers," she said.

Meanwhile, NAB manager of research and policy development, Gerson Kampungu, said seed research is significant in driving sustainable crop production as the production of high-quality seeds is the foundation of long-lasting profitability for a crop farming business.

Kampungu said Namibia imports 100% of white maize seeds being used for crop production, hence seed research and seed production is important as it strives to reverse the situation for the country to be food self-sufficient.

"The success of seed research and seed production is envisaged to significantly contribute to increased food crop production and, in the process, create much-needed employment," he said

Kampungu also noted that during the 2020/21 financial year, NAB put aside N$737 000 for the implementation process. The board will also be availing N$1 million during the 2021/22 financial year to ensure that the seed research is upscaled to all production zones in the country.

- tuyeimo@namibiansun.com

COMPANY NEWS IN BRIEF

Strike at BHP's Chile mines continue

A strike by workers for BHP's Escondida and Spence copper mines in Chile entered its fifth day on Monday, as the union awaited a decision by labour authorities over whether substitute workers the company called in are legal, a union leader told Reuters.

The 200-member union, which runs BHP's Integrated Operations Centre in Santiago, walked off the job last Thursday. Global miner BHP subsequently called in substitute workers keep the mine running, a move the union said violated their right to an effective strike.

"We are waiting for the audits in the DT (Labor Directorate) to address the issue of replacements," said Jessica Orellana, president of the guild. She told Reuters that there had been no move to return to talks with BHP.

Workers for the union are considered contractors by BHP, which has raised questions about whether substitute workers can be hired to replace them during a strike. Chilean labour law in some cases forbids such replacements.

BHP told Reuters in a brief statement that both Spence and Escondida "have adopted contingency plans to maintain its operations, always fully respecting the legal framework governing collective bargaining."- Nampa/Reuters

Vodafone gets 5G deal with Huawei

Vodafone's Italian unit has secured conditional approval from Rome to use equipment made by China's Huawei in its 5G radio access network, two sources close to the matter said.

Italy can block or impose tough conditions on deals involving non-EU vendors under "golden powers", which have been used three times since 2012 to block foreign interest in industries deemed to be of strategic importance.

The government of national unity led by Prime Minister Mario Draghi authorised the deal between Vodafone and Huawei on May 20, one of the two sources told Reuters, asking not to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter.

As in similar deals, the government imposed a set of prescriptions including restrictions on remote intervention by Huawei to fix technical glitches and an extremely high security threshold, the source added.

The United States has lobbied Italy and other European allies to avoid using Huawei equipment in their next generation telecoms networks and to closely scrutinize rival ZTE, saying the companies could pose a security risk. Huawei and ZTE strongly deny the allegations. - Nampa/Reuters

Blessed is She counselling hotline launched

STAFF REPORTER

WINDHOEK

In celebration of its two-year anniversary, Blessed is She has launched a 24/7 counselling hotline.

The aim of the hotline is to help young Namibian girls who are in distress and need someone to talk to.

Young girls throughout the country can get immediate help by dialling 081 7388 399 or 085 7604 000.

“The counselling hotline is a safe platform where girls across the country can not only talk to a friend over the phone about any concerns they have, but also receive immediate assistance to the extent that we are able to provide at the time,” founder Nicole Willemse said.

“The counselling hotline was birthed after we received multiple enquiries from young girls who just needed someone to talk to when they felt trapped and alone. This initiative also serves as a proactive approach in light of the recent protests to curb and speak out against gender-based violence which has plagued our country,” Willemse said.

Confidential counselling

The hotline provides confidential phone counselling 24 hours a day.

The counselling will include dealing with problems such as feeling anxious, angry, fearful, distressed or alone, and cater to girls who simply need someone to talk to. A team of eight counsellors with backgrounds in psychology and social work are equipped and ready to offer professional help.

Blessed is She, run by non-governmental organisation Change of LifeStyle (COLS), is a programme targeted at young girls and women in Namibia with the aim to help them establish their purpose and restore their identities.

It offers a mentoring programme, reading tours and a yearly conference all inspired by the ‘Blessed is She’ book.

Tenders under scrutiny at indaba60 procurement officers attend One of the common mistakes made by companies that bid for tenders include focusing on price alone while ignoring other requirements, Julia Itana said.

STAFF REPORTER

WINDHOEK

Matters surrounding the interpretation of the Public Procurement Act in the procurement process dominated the Namibia Procurement Conference held in Windhoek last week.

The conference was attended by more than 60 procurement officers drawn from state-owned companies and local authorities as well as suppliers who bid for government contracts.

Tenders awarded by state-owned institutions and local authorities have been a subject of many court disputes.

“The conference was successful. Everyone was engaging throughout. That is the thing with procurement, it’s a non-ending debate. I believe the participants walked away with a lot of insights,” one of the speakers at the conference, Ester Kuugongelwa, a senior official of finance ministry’s procurement policy unit, said.

She said most discussions and questions during the conference centered around the interpretation of the Procurement Act when tenders are being prepared or the disputes that come when bids are awarded.

“There are issues about the interpretation of the law basically. In some areas, you can see that there is a lack of awareness on the part of officials. We have to create awareness on these issues,” she said.

Common mistakes

Another speaker at the conference, Julia Itana, the procurement manager at the Roads Authority, said one of the common mistakes made by companies that bid for tenders include focusing on price alone while ignoring other requirements.

She noted that some suppliers want to bid even in tenders where they lack specialisation. “Don’t over-sell yourself,” she said, and discouraged suppliers from submitting bids for which they are not eligible.

On the other hand, Kuungongelwa noted that there is confusion regarding the operations of procurement policy unit, which regulates the procurement of goods, works and services and the Central Procurement Board of Namibia, whose duty it is to conduct the bidding process on behalf of public entities.

“Most of the time, the public confuses the role of the two institutions. We really need to focus on creating awareness on how the procurement process works.”

Practical insight

Namibia has close to 50 state-owned institutions that have procurement thresholds of between N$5 million to US$30 million outside of the larger procurements, which have to go through the Central Procurement Board of Namibia.

Kuungongelwa said the conference gave the participants practical insight on procurement because most of the time emphasis is put on compliance of the law but little is done to make officials understand the law.

The conference also revealed some of the concerns bidders have including that tender documents are too bulky and difficult to fill and not understanding what is required of them.

“There is a need to create awareness, add value for money for both sides,” she said.

Give your chickens enough water

STAFF REPORTER

WINDHOEK

Water is considered one of the most essential sources of nutrition in chicken farming.

The Namibia Agriculture Union (NAU) said it is first and foremost an important component for metabolism and it softens the feed for digestive purposes.

According to Jan Grobbelaar, a chicken farming expert from South Africa, at one stage, he had chicks with constipation.

“The manure stuck to the anus of the chicks and when he tried to remove it, the intestines pulled out as well and the chicks died. Grobbelaar then changed his management by giving chicks water for two hours before they were fed. This quickly solved the problem,” the union said.

The NAU added that water is also responsible for the transport of nutrients, oxygen and hormones in the body, as well as the release of waste products and carbon dioxide from the body.

Dehydration

A day-old chick's body mass consists of 85% water and a 32-week-old hen of 55% water. If the chick or hen loses 10% of its water through dehydration, the chick will not be able to grow, and neither will the hen be able to lay eggs.

If the chick or hen dehydrate by 20%, they could possibly die. Insufficient water intake means that chickens cannot produce meat or eggs.

Meanwhile, the union said if chickens drink too much water, especially when it is hot, this will lead to an increase in water excreted through the manure and the excretion of moisture from their lungs will also be high. Both the manure and moisture have a big influence on the bedding of the chicken house.

“Usually, it causes wet bedding that builds up ammonia. If you enter the chicken house, the ammonia will burn your eyes. If the ammonia can be smelled, it is even more harmful to the chicks. Two of the biggest problems it causes are burns on the chicken's chest and under the feet. These carcasses may be rejected by the abattoir.”

LPO concerned about Meatco resignationsSituation negatively impacts confidence in company An unstable cattle industry will result in the loss of livelihood for especially rural individuals, the LPO’s chairperson said.

ELLANIE SMIT

WINDHOEK

The Livestock Producers Organisation (LPO) has expressed concern with regards to the current situation at Meatco following the resignation of three of its board members over the weekend.

Meatco board chairperson Johnnie Hamman, vice chairperson Clara Bohitile and board member Kay-Dieter Rumpf resigned from the board citing “material unreconciled differences with the company’s management and its other board members”.

Their resignations followed after the board held a substantive board meeting last Thursday.

Chairperson of the LPO, Thinus Pretorius, said the cattle industry is a key contributor to the total agricultural production in Namibia.

He said this sector contributes - on average - about 45% of the total agricultural production value, making it by far the most important sub-sector.

“The value created has led to greater employment opportunities, the stabilisation and maintenance of rural economies, and thus the restriction of rural to urban migration.”

Pretorius said an unstable and unsustainable cattle industry will result in the loss of livelihood for especially rural individuals, and a loss of disposable income for rural communities will in turn have a detrimental effect on the country’s gross domestic product.

Negative impact

“Recent series of events at our national export facility, Meatco, has impacted negatively on the overall confidence in the management's ability to turn Meatco around as a competitive, sustainable enterprise.”

Pretorius said producers are the main stakeholders in the value chain and without their support, the value chain will collapse, employment and tax revenues will be lost, livelihoods will be negatively impacted, and this will ultimately have a negative multiplier effect on the rural and urban economy.

“The LPO is very concerned about the resultant implications this could have.”

Public enterprises minister Leon Jooste appointed the current board of directors in terms of the Meat Corporation of Namibia Act on 1 May 2020 for a term of three years.

Their resignations follow less than two months after the announcement by Meatco’s CEO Mwilima Mushokabanji that all employees aged 55 and over will be retrenched.

It included three top executives with decades of experience in the meat industry. They are former chief operating officer Jannie Breytenbach, former executive manager for marketing and sales André Mouton as well as George Kotze, who as an executive manager was responsible for livestock production and value addition.

Ghana surprises market with repo rate cutHundred basis points lower Consumer price inflation is expected to remain within the bank's target band of 8% plus or minus 2 percentage points over the next quarter. The 100 basis points cut reflects the Bank of Ghana's concerns about growth. Razia Khan, head of research:Standard Chartered

CHRISTIAN AKORLIE

Ghana's central bank on Monday surprised the market by cutting its main policy rate to 13.5% from 14.5%, saying inflation risks were muted in the near term.

Central Bank Governor Ernest Addison said during a news conference that consumer price inflation was expected to remain within the bank's target band of 8% plus or minus 2 percentage points over the next quarter after falling to 8.5% in April due to lower food price inflation.

"Risks to the inflation outlook remain muted in the near-term under these circumstances, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decided to lower the monetary policy rate by a hundred basis points," Addison said, adding that the bank will monitor inflationary pressure on rents and transport fares.

A Reuters poll of 12 analysts had expected the bank to keep the rate unchanged.

Razia Khan, head of research for Africa and Middle East at Standard Chartered said that the cut was unexpected given the recent pressure on inflation, largely stemming from fiscal policy measures aimed at reducing Ghana's deficit. The deficit is seen at around 9.5% of gross domestic product in 2021.

"The 100 basis points cut reflects the Bank of Ghana's concerns about growth. We do not expect any further easing near-term," Khan said.

"Given careful management of foreign exchange supply in the recent past, the boost to foreign exchange reserves from earlier Eurobond issuance, and relatively weak demand, we do not expect the rate cut to impact foreign exchange in a meaningful way," she added. - Nampa/Reuters

Repentant sinners: Namibians reduce booze consumption

ELLANIE SMIT

WINDHOEK

Latest statistics show there was a massive decline in the amount of alcohol consumed by Namibians 15 years and older – even before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Statistics compiled by the World Health Organisation (WHO) from 2019 in its world health statistics 2021 report indicate that Namibians consume 3.1 litres of pure alcohol per person a year.

In 2017, the WHO reported that Namibians consumed 11.8 litres of pure alcohol per person a year.

Namibia was at that time also the highest consumer of alcohol in Africa.

According to the latest statistics, Namibia now falls among the 20 nations that drink the least on the continent.

In Africa, Uganda was ranked the country that drank the most at 12.5 litres of pure alcohol per person per year, followed by Tanzania at 12 litres and then Burkina Faso with 11 litres.

The African nation that drank the least was Mauritania at zero litres of alcohol per person a year, while Namibia with its 3.1 litres of alcohol consumption per capita per year, ranked 20th on this list.

Taste for beer

However, it seems the Land of the Brave has not lost its taste for beer, being ranked as one the top 10 countries when it comes to the consumption of the beverage per capita.

Japan’s Kirin Beer University has released the results of its annual survey on global beer consumption for the last relevant year, pre-pandemic 2019.

The latest figures reveal that the biggest beer drinking nation in the world is the Czech Republic, at 188.6 litres per capita.

Austrians and Romanians are second and third, drinking 107.8 litres and 100.3 litres per capita respectively, with the Germans in fourth place, knocking back 99 litres per capita in the year.

Namibia features very high on the list, coming in sixth in the world, drinking 99.5 litres of beer per capita in a year, which is 22.4 bottles more than the previous year and a total consumption of 248 million litres per year.

Kirin has tracked global consumption since 1975, drawing its data from brewers’ associations and industry statistics around the world.

In 2016, Namibia ranked 52nd out of 186 nations globally, while beer was the number one choice of drink in the country.

Boozy bunch

Data compiled by the WHO’s alcohol per capita consumption table, which tracked the heaviest drinking countries from 2000 to 2016, indicated that Namibians consumed 7.84 litres per person a year.

According to these statistics, the total consumption of alcohol per person had increased from 5.73 to 7.84 litre since 2000 to 2011.

During that same period, Namibians consumed less wine, with the consumption dropping from 0.88 to 0.06 litre per person.

Beer had, however, increased from 3.60 to 7.30 litres in that period and spirits increased from 0.21 to 0.80 litres per person.

Re-employed fishermen up in arms…Remain in dark about permanent employment The fisherman, who demand answers no later than 8 June, have threatened Cavema Fishing with legal action.

LEANDREA LOUW

WALVIS BAY

Fishermen who were recently re-employed at Cavema Fishing held a demonstration in Walvis Bay on Monday. Despite being promised permanent employment, they only received fixed-term contracts, they said.

In a petition read on behalf of the 700 fishermen, shop steward Samuel Kondo said they mandated the Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement in Walvis Bay to act on their behalf on matters related to Cavema’s quota to ensure their permanent employment.

According to AR, an allocation of 5 600 metric tonnes of freezer horse mackerel was made to Camoposatu Investments and 6 330 metric tonnes of freezer hake to Vernier Investments while three allocations of 500, 500 and 1 792 metric tonnes of freezer hake went to Rainbow Fishing.

“These quotas were for the purpose of ensuring permanent employment for 645 fishermen. We have it on record that they were only presented with fixed-term contracts with a monthly salary of N$3 970, with no benefits like medical aid and housing, which is contradictory to the government directive,” they said.

Kondo said despite multiple enquiries, letters and meetings, the fishermen remain in the dark about their permanent employment.

“We demand answers from Cavema no later than 8 June. We want a meeting with the executive directors...

“Should we not receive any response on 8 June before close of business, the fishermen will approach legal practitioners and the High Court for a permanent solution.”

Answers coming

Cavema director Robert Shimooshil received the petition from the fishermen. “We will have an answer for you way before 8 June. We will definitely achieve something if we can sit around the table and come to an amicable solution,” he said.

Shimooshili added that there are many discrepancies pertaining the petition and the understanding of the agreement in general.

“Through your representatives, we will give you a call to discuss the way forward. We feel with you since you’ve lost employment and the idea is to look after you.”

Meanwhile, a separate petition was handed to Mathew Lungameni, chairman of the Namibia Fishermen United Association (NFUA).

Another shop steward, Godfried Tura Kahanga, read the petition on behalf of the fishermen who demanded Lugameni to step from the NFUA and Walvis Bay and Luderitz Fishing (Pty) Ltd with immediate effect.

The fishermen allege that Lungameni is not transparent.

“We demand all bank statements, office keys, documents and properties be handed to the newly elected committee,” they said.

They threatened that should they not receive a response by 8 June, they will approach legal practitioners and the High Court.

Unbothered

Lungameni responded that the association is governed by a constitution.

“We are not affiliated to a political party. We asked organisations and political parties, including the ruling party, for support after we were dismissed for striking. Now the AR demands that the association gives it power of attorney to take the legal case forward and solve the fishermen’s problems. No matter what they say, I am the chairman of the association and it will remain so until it’s time to elect a new one in five years.”

leandrea@republikein.com.na

Mass housing battle back in court

Marc Springer

WINDHOEK

The ill-fated mass housing project is once again preoccupying the Windhoek High Court. This time, a company accused of reneging on a contract to build 505 low-cost houses in Swakopmund is facing a default judgment.

The matter, heard before Judge Eileen Rakow, was yesterday postponed to 14 July.

By then, the respondents’ lawyers need to show why a default judgment shouldn't be granted against Ferusa Capital Financing Partners CC, owned by brothers Nelson and Tobias Akwenye, which had before failed to submit a plea and counterclaim within the time limit provided.

Ferusa is being sued for N$28 million by government and the urban and rural development minister for alleged breach of contract.

In their particulars of claim, the applicants allege that Ferusa violated the terms of a contract concluded on 1 May 2014 by entering into subcontracting agreements for the construction of houses with other entities such as Desert Paving and Construction CC as well as New Era Investments (Pty) Ltd.

The plaintiffs further contend that the company didn’t carry out and complete the works in accordance with the terms and conditions of the original agreement, resulting in many houses being incomplete and unoccupied. As a consequence, the unfinished houses have been vandalised and damaged by weather, they said.

Million-dollar botch job

The applicants further pleaded that N$87.6 million in public funds had to date been paid for the project without it being completed. This, they alleged, is as a result of Ferusa misrepresenting “their ability to implement and comply with the new construction agreement.

Specifically, the Akwenyes are accused of failing to render the necessary assistance in order for the construction of the houses to be completed.

As a result, they caused a financial loss of N$28 million.

In their particulars of claim, the plaintiffs go as far as labelling the conduct of Ferusa as “fraudulent”.

Meanwhile, in what may prove devastating for the Akwenye brothers, the applicants further said they should be held liable in their personal capacity as members of the close corporation should their dormant company be deregistered.

The incomplete houses have been standing idle and largely unattended for over six years after the contractors discontinued construction, citing non-payment by Ferusa.

Mathias Kashindi from the office of the government attorney is acting for the applicants, while Elias Shikongo from Shikongo Law Chambers is representing the respondents.

Mozambique launches power plant construction Plant worth US$1 billion Upon completion, the gas-to-power Temane Thermal Power Plant will have a capacity of 450 megawatts. Our governance aspires that more than 10 million Mozambicans will have access to electricity for the first time in their homes by 2024. Filipe Nyusi, President: Mozambique

Mozambique on Monday began construction of gas-to-power plant and transmission line projects worth US$1 billion in the southern province of Inhambane as the government aims to boost energy supply.

The World Bank is one of the financing partners of the infrastructure projects, alongside the United States, Norway, African Development Bank (AfDB), Islamic Bank and The OPEC Fund for International Development, according statements from the World Bank and the US embassy.

"Today we mark a milestone in the framework of this endeavour to illuminate Mozambique. Our governance aspires that more than 10 million Mozambicans will have access to electricity for the first time in their homes by 2024," Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi said at the launch of the project.

Upon completion, the gas-to-power Temane Thermal Power Plant will have a capacity of 450 megawatts.

"Today, we are witnessing the exceptional beginning of a vision that aims to provide energy for all Mozambicans: this is a transformative project for the country," the representative of the World Bank in Mozambique, Idah Pswarayi-Riddihough, said during the launch.

US Ambassador to Mozambique Dennis Hearne said the United States was supporting the Temane project through a US$200 million direct loan for its construction via the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC).

"In addition, thanks to the support of the US government's signature Power Africa program, we are providing a "transaction advisor" assigned to EDM Mozambique power utility Eletricidade de Mozambique to help bring the critical Temane Transmission Line Project to financial close," said Hearne. - Nampa/Reuters

39 court hearings on wildlife crimeNine new cases registered Ten wildlife products, including elephant tusks, pangolin skins, an oryx carcass and a mountain zebra carcass, were seized last month.

ELLANIE SMIT

WINDHOEK

Out of the 39 court hearings on wildlife crimes during May, only two cases were finalised, with two suspects found guilty.

At Katutura, 29-year-old Kavijenene Kaemui was found guilty for the illegal possession of a pangolin skin on 17 May and sentenced to a fine of N$10 000 (N$4 000 suspended) or 24 months in prison (12 months suspended).

It took 697 days between his arrest, which was on 20 June 2019, and the verdict.

In another matter at Kamanjab, Josef Selvarius Karunga (38) was arrested on 28 September 2020 for the illegal possession of a python. He was found guilty and fined N$4 000 on 15 May.

This is according to monthly wildlife crime statistics for last month provided by the protected resources division within the safety and security ministry and the intelligence and investigation unit within the environment ministry.

According to this, there were zero suspects acquitted of wildlife crime-related charges.

New cases

During the month of May, nine new wildlife crime cases were registered, of which seven were related to high-value species.

A total of 12 suspects were arrested in line with the new cases reported, of which six were arrested for pangolin poaching/trafficking and three were arrested for elephant poaching/trafficking.

This resulted in 10 wildlife products being seized, which included three elephant tusks, five pangolin skins, an oryx carcass and a mountain zebra carcass.

According to the statistics, two suspects were also arrested in connection with old cases.

EDITORIAL: Reducing PAP to show of muscles The ongoing fourth ordinary session of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) in South Africa has exposed the cosmetic African unity for what it truly is – hopeless idealism.

The euphoria of unity and Africa’s readiness to confront challenges as a united front came crashing down during this session, as Anglophone and Francophone members of this continental parliament wrestled for power and control.

Yet, as records would produce, it is exactly Africans’ insatiable lust for power and control that has kept the continent in the doldrums, where it is firmly stuck like baby hippos in a dried-up Zambezi River.

The disunity currently on display is so gigantic members even threatened to kill each other. Most of these expletives did not originate from debates on how to end Islamic insurgency in Mali or interventions needed to end the strife in Ethiopia.

MPs threatened to f**k each other up over territorial issues such as the rotation of the seat of this parliament and who should be its president.

A sitting of this level ought to open gates for a vibrant intra-African economy, reviving slumbering local industries, easier border passes for the continent’s citizens and harnessing cultural understanding and cohesion among a continent gripped by xenophobia.

Instead, MPs spent time flexing their muscles and evangelising how the time has come for others to enjoy the windfalls of power. How that helps a girl child in Langa township or disabled father in the slums of Kuvukiland remains unclear.

'Billions outstanding in private sector credit'Credit uptake still in first gear Private sector credit extension growth remains at historically low levels due to the persistent sluggish domestic economic activity. The low administered rates do not provide a sufficient risk versus return trade-off for lenders, causing them to exercise more caution. Cirrus Capital

PHILLEPUS UUSIKU

Despite the repo rate being at its historic low of 3.75% to make borrowing attractive in order to boost economic activities, private sector credit extension (PSCE) growth remain weak. Currently, total outstanding private sector credit stands at N$105.2 billion.

For the month of April this year, PSCE growth increased to 3.1% year-on-year compared to 2.0% in March, a slight increase of 1.1 percentage points. In April last year, private sector credit extension growth stood at 6.1%.

According to the Bank of Namibia (BoN), the rise in the growth rate was mainly explained by a slightly higher uptake of credit by households during the year to the end of the of April 2021.

Nonetheless, growth in PSCE remains at historically low levels due to the persistent sluggish domestic economic activity, reinforced by the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to Cirrus Capital (CC), the collapse in household incomes in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent regulations has resulted in weak tangible demand, while lenders face a materially riskier credit environment than before 2020.

As a result, the low administered rates do not provide a sufficient risk versus return trade-off for lenders, causing them to exercise more caution. Given the significant impairments to banks assets and net repayments observed over the period, PSCE growth is expected to remain low for 2021, CC pointed out.

Households

Credit extension growth to households improved by 3.9% year-on-year to N$2.3 billion compared to 2.6% in March, an increase of 1.3 percentage points.

The growth was largely due to growth in mortgages to individuals which accounted for 74.4% of total extensions. However, as the property market continues to come under pressure, with deflationary pressures and lower consumer activity, growth in this line will remain subdued moving forward. “As the relatively high risk of mortgage defaults remains, we expect to see mortgage growth remaining low moving forward. This is underpinned by mortgages accounting for 61% of non-performing loans in Dec ‘20. There remains the risk that loan growth is marred by the refinancing of existing loans, as well as the likelihood of further properties coming to market in Windhoek and keeping housing prices subdued, CC said.

Overdraft extension increased by 4.2% to N$100.3 million, up 2.7 percentage points from the previous month. Similarly, other loans and advances growth moved into positive territory in April, moving up 1.2 percentage points to 0.8% year-on-year.

Finally, instalment credit and leasing posted positive growth for the first time in 40 months, with annual growth of 0.5%. This was likely to happen as vehicle sales in 2021 have outperformed sales witnessed last year, given the incredibly low base and release of some pent-up demand, CC said.

Businesses

Growth in credit extended to businesses rose by 2.0% year-on-year to N$879.9 million in April 2021, compared to 1.2% in March. The increase reflects base effects emanating from a sharp decline observed in April 2020, following the then stringent measures instituted to curb the spread of Covid-19, BoN said.

The outstanding value of business advances amounted to N$43.8 billion. Short-term debt facilities remain the primary credit service businesses are utilizing. Overdraft extension growth was again in double digit territory, with growth of 13.5% year-on-year to N$1.3 billion, CC pointed out.

Other loans and advances growth moved up 2.0 percentage points to 1.4% year-on-year to N$221.6 million. All other business extension lines saw contractions over the period, with mortgage loans and instalment and leasing with respective annual growth rates of -2.0% and - 11.3%, CC added.

Short-term credit facilities will remain a primary source of financing for businesses in the current economic climate, particularly given the low nominal interest rates. However, the risk for many entities is that demand remains suppressed for an extended period, meaning that the reliance on debt facilities could be unsustainable particularly if interest rates were to begin rising, CC said.