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EDITORIAL: Peace is a construction of many things

July 14, 2021, 3:00 pm
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EDITORIAL: Peace is a construction of many thingsEDITORIAL: Peace is a construction of many things Peace and stability are staple foods of Namibian podium rhetoric. It’s a ball that get thrown into the court of the masses, as if the state only has a secondary role to the cause.

In South Africa, where the flames of this week’s violence are still visible across the Orange, some justified that the looting was inevitable in a country where youth employment is above 70%.

Peace by word of mouth is not enough. There can never be peace where Maslow’s hierarchy of needs – especially the bottom two strata of his pyramid – are not met.

Disturbance of peace and stability cannot only be viewed through the cataracts of the liberation struggle’s history.

The most important ingredients for peace in a modern society are inclusiveness, sustainable development and justice for all.

Accountability by the custodians of our national resources is another important piece to the peace puzzle.

The absence of gunshots and exploding bombs is not enough to suggest Namibian is now peaceful – as politicians would like the masses to believe.

Therefore, when beating the drum of peace and stability, let us first check the conditions for which such tunes are meant.

Let’s not get carried away that political freedom alone is a guarantor of peace. That’s just a tiny piece in a vast ocean.
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South Africa unrest threatens food supply

July 14, 2021, 3:00 pm
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South Africa unrest threatens food supplySouth Africa unrest threatens food supplyMost of the shops are closed One of AgriSA's farmers has already reported the loss of R3 million of perishable produce that could not be transported. Farmers have already had major losses because they cannot get their products to local markets and to shops. Christo van der Rheede, Executive Director: AgriSA TANISHA HEIBERG

South African farmers have been hit by days of unrest and looting as trucks carrying produce are prevented from delivering to markets, threatening food supplies, industry officials said.

Crowds have this week clashed with police and ransacked shopping malls, with dozens reported killed as grievances unleashed by last week's jailing of former president Jacob Zuma boiled over into the worst violence in years. Some of the country's major highways have been closed off.

"Farmers have already had major losses because they cannot get their products to local markets and to shops," Christo van der Rheede, executive director at the country's main agricultural body AgriSA, said.

One of AgriSA's farmers has already reported the loss of R3 million of perishable produce that could not be transported, van der Rheede said.

All sugar mills in Kwazulu-Natal, the main sugar growing area and one of the provinces hardest hit by the unrest have closed after cane trucks were hijacked, mills threatened and cane farms set alight, said South African Canegrowers Chief Executive Thomas Funke.

Damage

"Around 300 000 tonnes of cane to date have been burnt. This is roughly 180 million rand of grower revenue," said Funke. Sugar producer Tongaat Hulets said its mills and refinery were also closed.

Citrus growers Association Chief Executive Justin Chadwick said citrus exports had also been halted, with trucks unable to use the main arterial roads to the Durban port, where more than half of the citrus is exported. South Africa is the world's second largest exporter of fresh citrus after Spain.

President Cyril Ramaphosa warned on Monday that disruption to supply chains could lead to food and medicine shortages in the coming weeks.

The impact was already being seen in Durban. On Tuesday, consumers stood in queues at a few supermarkets that remained open to buy basics. In some areas, where supermarkets remained closed, panic was setting in over food supplies.

"All the shops are closed. We are going to run out of bread soon," said Neli Zulu, a resident of Pietermaritzburg, another area badly affected by the unrest. - Nampa/Reuters
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Katti donates Kombat shares to community

July 14, 2021, 3:00 pm
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Katti donates Kombat shares to communityKatti donates Kombat shares to community STAFF REPORTER



WINDOEK

Businessman Knowledge Katti says he has donated 10% of his shares in Kombat Mine to the local community and people resettled at government’s Neu Sommerau farm.

Namibian Sun yesterday reported that the mine, which is now majority owned by Canadian firm Trigon Metals, is set to open in December.

The mine can employ up to 300 people once fully operational, Trigon said.

Katti’s Havana Investments initially acquired 100% ownership of Kombat Mine from South African company Grove Mining – reportedly for N$50 million – but later sold 80% of its stake to Trigon, retaining 20%.

The sale of the shares was to help raise capital and have a technical partner on board to help resurrect operations again, Katti said.

Havana then donated 10% of its stake to the community, through state-owned Epangelo Mining.

“I donated 10% of my own share in the mine to the community of Kombat and Neu Sommerau to participate in future benefits. This donation was made via Epangelo Mining,” Katti said yesterday.

In Namibian hands

Asked how the benefits of the donated shares will trickle down to the community, Katti said: “Epangelo is essentially government - and we expect them to do the right thing. I have full confidence in their CEO and trust that a meeting between all stakeholders can come up with the best strategies to benefit the community”.

“The donation was made with the vision that a child born in Kombat or nearby settlements can have future economic value and be proud to be part of his or her own community despite the hardship of the parents,” he added.

Although Katti sold the majority stake in the mine itself, he retains ownership of the land at Kombat – something that in the past generated heated debates all throughout the country.

The businessman said the nature of the mining business is such that ownership changes constantly in the industry and it was critical that, for the first time, Kombat land is in local hands.

“I kept 100% of the land and properties in order to make sure we never sell land to foreign mining companies and rather let mining companies focus on mining,” he told Namibian Sun.

“The vision was clear - we know mining companies can change shareholders and can change jurisdictions. And our strategy was never to allow foreign decisions impact our land and properties.

“That’s why we could today take our own decisions to renovate houses and attract Welwitchia University to operate in Kombat.”
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Namibian UCT student graduates after going to SA with only N$500

July 14, 2021, 3:00 pm
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Namibian UCT student graduates after going to SA with only N$500Namibian UCT student graduates after going to SA with only N$500 WEEKEND ARGUS



CAPE TOWN

A University of Cape Town (UCT) student from Namibia will graduate this week after she went to that country with only N$500.

Aune Angobe will graduate with an MSc Molecular and Cell Biology degree after achieving over 95% for her course.

She was raised by her grandparents in Ongongo village.

She said she was privileged to have grandparents who had always known the value of education.

“I attended primary and secondary school in the northern part of Namibia under their tender care. Throughout my schooling journey, I’d always enjoyed science subjects, and I have no doubt that I was a scientist from birth.

“Despite my poor family background, I studied hard and matriculated with good grades. In 2013, I was granted admission to the University of Namibia [Unam] for an honours degree programme in science (microbiology), which was funded by a government loan,” she said.

After completing her undergraduate studies in 2017, she didn’t have plans to study further, but that all changed in 2018.

Funding challenge

Angobe said she started growing a strong feeling for furthering her studies and searched for opportunities at numerous universities in Namibia and South Africa.

She was admitted at UCT; however, funding was her biggest obstacle.

“I remember clearly that when I arrived in Cape Town, I did not have funds for my accommodation and living expenses. I had only R500.

“I was accommodated by a friend where I stayed for about two weeks. During this period, my supervisor, my friend and I were constantly worried about how I was going to survive,” she said.

Angobe said she then decided to approach student housing where she cried her heart out to get her plea across, and was eventually given accommodation.

She, however, added that she always felt like an outsider, coming from a different country, and struggled with the language barrier and being away from her support system.

Angobe added: “My advice to others going through the same experience is that persistence is key. Where there’s a will, there’s always a way. So don’t give up. To current students, self-confidence is key. Always believe in yourself and keep pushing, no matter the circumstances.”

Go-getter

Associate Professor Inga Hitzeroth, Angobe’s supervisor, said she is an amazing student who is a go-getter.

“What stood out for me was how organised she was. She did not wait for you to organise stuff for her, she was very proactive.

“She is very positive with a lovely personality,” Hitzeroth said.
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Feud over N$24m radiology tender

July 14, 2021, 3:00 pm
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Feud over N$24m radiology tenderFeud over N$24m radiology tenderFour state hospitals affected by quarrel over contract When the winning bidder applied for the initial tender, he was disqualified because he did not provide audited financials or proof that he had done similar work previously. OGONE TLHAGE







WINDHOEK

The fight over a multimillion-dollar tender to supply and install radiology technology at five public hospitals is the subject of an appeal at the Central Procurement Board of Namibia.

Namibian Sun has learnt that one of the losing bidders wants the picture archiving communication system and radiology information systems tender award to be cancelled.

Uni Medical Supplies (Uni Med) was awarded the contract to supply and install the machinery and software at the Windhoek Central, Katutura, Rundu and Oshakati hospitals for N$24.4 million.

After the health ministry notified losing bidders that the contract was awarded to Uni Med, claims emerged that the bidding rules were questionable from the beginning and that a series of unexplained changes - which included the withdrawal and readvertising of the tender - navigated the multimillion-dollar tender towards a ‘predetermined’ award.

It all started when the health ministry advertised the tender in October 2020, with one of the requirements being that bidders must submit audited financials for the last three years. Bidders were also required to provide proof of similar work done.

The initial tender - which closed on 17 November 2020 - was withdrawn and subsequently readvertised with new conditions on 9 April 2021.

The health ministry cancelled the initial tender on 16 March because “no bidder is responsive”.

Uni Med was in existence for just under two years when the tender was readvertised, after having registered with the Business and Intellectual Property Authority of Namibia (Bipa) on 16 April 2019.

When it applied for the initial tender, it was disqualified because it did not provide audited financials or proof that it had done similar work previously.

Irregularities

One of the losing bidders, Green Enterprise Solutions, is now challenging the award, citing irregularities.

According to the health ministry, Green Enterprise’s bid was not responsive because it allegedly did not indicate similar work done, did not achieve above 70% of technical compliance and it did not attach a manufacturer’s authorisation letter.

The ministry further claimed that “local IT technicians are not trained on [the] medical systems provided”.

Green Enterprise’s managing director Kehad Snydewel alleged that the tender was specifically aimed to be awarded to Uni Med.

He also claimed Uni Med did not meet the requirements in a submission made to the Central Procurement Board’s review panel.

Snydewel also alleged that Uni Med did not provide proof to the health ministry that it had performed similar work in the past to supply the technology sought.

The company also wants the ministry to terminate the procurement process and start afresh or re-consider all bids afresh, including the tender bid it had submitted.

According to Snydewel, Uni Med did not meet the requirement of submitting audited financial statements when the bid was initially run in 2020.

The requirement was then changed so that companies rather submit audited financials for two years when the tender was left to re-run in 2021, he said.

“The second respondent did not meet the requirement in 2020 and was therefore found to be not responsive. In the tender of 2021, the requirement was reduced to two years of audited financials.

“Upon the applicant investigating the registration date of the second respondent via the website of Bipa, it was discovered that the second responded would not have met the requirement for three years’ audited financials,” Snydewel said.

Not enough experience

He added that Uni Med also did not meet the bid’s requirement for number of years of experience required.

“In the tender of last year, one of the requirements was the provision of similar work done/projects undertaken by the respondents. The second respondent did not meet that requirement in 2020.

The applicant wishes to inquire how the second respondent now has the required number of work projects to reference between the time of the closing of the tender of last year November to the closing of the tender this year,” Snydewel asked.

“For the reasons advanced hereinabove, we accordingly ask the review panel that this tender be cancelled and the process to start afresh to the anomalies pointed out,” he added.

The health ministry’s deputy executive director Petronella Masabane said she would provide answers once she consults with the ministry’s procurement directorate.

Contacted for comment yesterday, Green Enterprise confirmed submitting the appeal, but refused to discuss the matter.

“This matter is with the relevant authorities and we do not wish to discuss this in the media”, the company’s executive chairman Llewellyn le Hane told Namibian Sun yesterday.
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Namibians poorer than they were in 2015

July 14, 2021, 3:00 pm
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Namibians poorer than they were in 2015Namibians poorer than they were in 2015Micro business hardest hit by the pandemic Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita has dropped by about 8.3% during the first quarter continuing a trend that started in 2016. We must keep in mind that we compare a Covid-19 economy with the pre-Covid-19 economy. Simonis Storm (SS) PHILLEPUS UUSIKU

The 2020/21 Private Sector Development Survey revealed that micro and small businesses were more affected by the pandemic than medium and large enterprises.

Furthermore, workers in the informal sector are more vulnerable and less protected than formal sector employees. Hence, the gap between the better-off and the less privileged is widening, Simonis Storm (SS) stated in their recent quarterly economic report.

According to the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA), the real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) dropped by 6.5% during the first quarter of 2021, compared to a decline of 2.5% recorded in the same quarter of 2020.

GDP is the total value of goods and services produced over a certain period of time and represents the wealth of a country.

Therefore, if Namibia’s GDP has to been divided amongst the entire population of 2.5 million (GDP per capita), each individual is likely to become less wealthy as a result of a decline in GDP.

According to SS, the 6.5% decline in GDP represents the worst first quarter results. “We must keep in mind that we compare a ‘Covid-19 economy’ with the ‘pre-Covid-19 economy’. We expect a return to positive growth rates in the second quarter of 2021. GDP per capita has dropped by about 8.3% during the first quarter continuing a trend that started in 2016. On average, all Namibians are poorer now than they were in 2015. It is obvious, however, that the economic downturn over the past five years has not affected everyone to the same extent,” SS pointed out.

Inequality

“Recent corrections by the NSA to the Gini-coefficient for 2015/16 highlights that we have not made the required progress in reducing income inequality,” SS said.

The Gini-coefficient measures income inequality and ranges from zero (perfect equality) to one (complete inequality) declined only slightly from 0.600 (2003/04) to 0.576 (2015/16).

“Furthermore, while we have made good progress in reducing income poverty, the Multi-dimensional Poverty Index (MPI), that captures the deprivation of people in eleven indicators across three main categories, living standards, education and health highlights that 43.3% of the population are deprived in at least 30% of the sum of the weighted indicators used,” SS said.

The deprivation is in particular stark when it comes to sanitation and housing. It is a clear indication that economic growth alone is not sufficient to improve the standard of living. Consequently, investment into economic infrastructure while necessary must be supported by investment into social infrastructure to provide the necessary basis for the population to exploit economic opportunities, SS pointed out.

Inflation

Overall price increase softened slightly during May 2021 resulting in an annual inflation rate of 3.8% compared to 3.9% in April. A slow-down in price rises for alcoholic beverages and tobacco and for transport from 4.2% to 3.5% and from 7.5% to 7.3% between April and May respectively outweighed accelerated price increases for food and non-alcoholic beverages that stood at 6.6% in May compared to 5.9% in April, SS added.

Prices for housing, water and electricity continued to rise only moderately (1.3%). Food price inflation is of global concern. The United Nation (UN) World food price index increased to 39.7, the highest level since 2011. It can in part be explained with supply-side disruptions due to restrictions imposed to contain the Covid-19 pandemic. Food price rises affect the poor more severely than other groups of society since they spend a higher share of their total consumption on food, SS said.
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Transport fuels inflation in June

July 15, 2021, 6:01 am
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Transport fuels inflation in JuneTransport fuels inflation in June Jo-Maré Duddy - Overall inflation in Namibia in June rose to 4.1%, up from 3.8% the previous month and 2.1% in June 2020.
Data released today by the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) shows the main driver of the increase was transport inflation, which jumped from 7.3% in May to 9.6% a month later. A year ago, the rate was -0.8%.
Overall food inflation increased from 7.1% to 7.7%. In June 2020, the figure was 4.9%.
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Kambindu attracts interest once more

July 15, 2021, 3:00 pm
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Kambindu attracts interest once moreKambindu attracts interest once moreAgent sorting out player’s future Brave Warriors striker Elmo Kambindu, who signed with Mozambique’s Costa do Sol before heading to the Cosafa Cup, has attracted interest from different clubs. LIMBA MUPETAMI

WINDHOEK

Brave Warriors striker Elmo Kambindi, who just recently signed a two-year contract with club Costa do Sol in Mozambique, has received interest from other clubs after his performance at the ongoing Cosafa Cup in South Africa, according to his agent, Olsen Kahiriri.

The Namibian side failed to reach the semi-finals of the competition but Kambindu, who was signed to Mighty Gunners locally, impressed as he managed to score three goals in the competition, one in each of the three group matches Namibia played (Senegal, Zimbabwe and Malawi) and scooped two man of the match accolades.

Whether he should have waited for offers from clubs in the South African Premier League, which seems to be the preferred league locally, has been much debated.

Some believe that the player made a hasty decision in signing for a Mozambican club.

He might not play

His agent, Olsen Kahiriri, when asked if there is a possibility that the player might terminate the contract, said: “That’s what everyone says. But they don’t understand how things work. It costs money to sell a player, but I’m talking with the club as there are new clubs interested in the player.

“I think he will make history by not playing for the club he has signed for,” added Kahiriri.

Fans in two minds

Football fans on social media, such as Ba Mutemwa Phellem Mulala, felt the player made the right move by signing with Costa do Sol.

“I don’t think he made a mistake given the circumstances of our local league, which is in shambolic situation. He signed for a top team which will play champions league; at his age that will be massive exposure than signing for Baroka or Chippa United.”

“I’m of the opinion that he signed early, however I do understand why he had to sign,” said Magnus E Tjiueza.

Rules are rules

Others such as Paul David asked if the player could terminate the contract with Costa do Sol. Fifa rules state that contracts between football players and football clubs should be respected.

The principle that the contract must be respected is emphasised in the commentary edition of Fifa's transfer regulations, which state that “unilateral termination of a contract without just cause is to be vehemently discouraged”.

A contract between a football player and a football club can only come to an end in the following situations: the contract expires, is terminated by mutual agreement, or if a player can terminate the contract with sporting just cause.

In practice, the two first options seldom lead to complications, and termination of a contract with sporting just cause is a relatively limited possibility for an established football player.

The provision is intended for circumstances in which a former central football player no longer plays matches for the first team.
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Gome’s UEFA fairy tale continues

July 15, 2021, 3:00 pm
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Gome’s UEFA fairy tale continues Gome’s UEFA fairy tale continues JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA

WINDHOEK

Namibian international footballer Wangu Gome is one step closer to realising his dream of playing in Europe’s elite league after his Romanian club secured a place in the second round of the UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds.

Wangu Gome’s Armenian premier league football club Alashkert made easy work Connah’s Quay following a 3-2 aggregate victory over the Welsh side in second game of this year’s UEFA competition’s qualifying rounds.

Alashkert and Quay initially played to a 2-2 draw in the first leg in Wales last week before claiming a 1-0 victory at home on Wednesday.

“This result means that we are just a few steps away from getting into the elite competition and that will be a dream come true for me and many of my teammates.

“We are not there yet and there is no time to be complacent at the moment but we can actually dream now since we are edging ever closer to the elite league,” Gome said.

Gome, who did not start the match in Wales due to an injury, played a role in his side’s 1-0 victory on Wednesday.

The club’s next assignment will be against Sherriff Football club of Moldovia for the second round.

Alashkert will begin the tie at home on 22 July before completing the second round with an away leg match in Moldovia on 28 July.

The team that advances from the second round will qualify to the third round of the qualifiers.

Teams that advance from the third round of the qualifiers will then play in the playoffs which serve as the final qualification to the elite group stages.

“There is such a long way to go but we are all hopeful and the spirit in the camp is incredibly high.”
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The state of employers’ pension funds

July 15, 2021, 3:00 pm
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The state of employers’ pension fundsThe state of employers’ pension funds MARTHINUZ NDUMETANA FABIANUS

Namibia offers a three-tier pension system.

The first tier is an old age social pension, named the Basic Social Grant (BSG) which is paid by the Namibian government to all Namibia’s residents over 60 years of age on a monthly and unconditional basis. The old age social pension is currently paid by the ministry of gender equality and child welfare. Also responsible for social welfare is the Social Security Commission, which is the custodian of the Social Security Act which provides for various funds; these include the Maternity Benefit, Sick Leave and Death Benefit Fund (MSD), the National Pension Fund, the Development Fund and the National Medical Aid Fund. At the moment, only the MSD and the Development Fund are active and provide benefits. The National Pension Fund and National Medical Funds have not been implemented by the Social Security Commission as yet. The National Pension Fund when implemented, is meant amongst others to provide for compulsory retirement savings.

The second tier is the employer-sponsored (also referred to as occupational) pension funds offered by employers across sectors (government, public enterprise, non-government and private sector employers). Currently, employers offer pension fund schemes for the benefit of their employees without being compelled to do so by law. Membership of occupational pension fund schemes is usually a condition of employment and thus compulsory for new employees taking up employment with an employer with an existing pension fund scheme. Occupational pension schemes are regulated by Namfisa in terms of the Pension Funds Act (PF Act 24 of 1956).

The third tier is individual retirement savings schemes, mainly offered by insurance companies and popularly referred to as retirement annuity funds. Retirement annuity funds can be taken up by anyone willing and able to afford making savings on a voluntary contractual basis and serve to complement and supplement occupational pension fund savings and the government’s old age pension grant. Retirement Annuity Funds are also regulated by Namfisa in terms of the Pension Funds Act.

This article mainly serves to appraise the state of the employers’ pension funds and the retirement annuity schemes, particularly in the light of the ravaging effect of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Occupational pension fund schemes in Namibia are by far the most popular form of retirement provision, are socio-economically impactful and are well established amongst most employers. When Namibia gained independence from South Africa in March 1990, just about all the employer groups that had pension fund schemes in place for their employees, decided to liquidate the funds and allowed members to commute their savings in cash or transferred it to individual retirement annuity policies with insurance companies. However, the new Namibian government decided to adopt the South African crafted pension fund law (Pension Funds Act 24 of 1956). Most employers were encouraged by this development and decided to continue with the pension fund schemes for their employees under a new Namibian name. Employees who did not take their money from the previous pension fund schemes were allowed to continue with their savings under the new fund, whilst those that transferred their savings to retirement annuity policies or commuted it for cash had to start saving from scratch. The dominant providers of services to pension fund schemes at the time were insurance companies. Statistics regarding the number of employers sponsored pension funds shortly after Namibia’s independence are unfortunately hard to come by, if not non-existent.

Over the years since Namibia’s independence, the occupational pension fund arrangement gained momentum and has become both a moral as well as competitive imperative for employers. Today based on most recent and better available Namfisa statistics, there were 132 active employer pension fund schemes registered with Namfisa as at March 2020. Of the 132, about 13 funds are commercial funds (i.e. umbrella pension funds and retirement annuity funds) that host many unrelated employer groups. These umbrella pension funds host hundreds of employer groups. Employer pension fund arrangements for a single employer (i.e. fund is exclusive to the employees of one or specific employer group) make up the remaining number of 132. The pension fund for government employees, popularly known as the GIPF, as well as pension funds of other large but also medium sized employer groups make up the remaining list of the 132 excluding the umbrella funds. Members of active occupational pension funds and retirement annuity funds are close to 300 thousand, whilst assets exceed N$ 170 billion.

Clearly, the socio-economic impact of employer-sponsored pension funds is undoubtable, given that retirement savings’ assets exceed Namibia’s GDP of around N$160 billion. A sizeable amount of pension fund assets has been used since Namibia’s independence to invest in Namibian businesses across sectors such as in financial services (like banks and insurance companies), manufacturing, infrastructure developments, housing developments, health establishments etc. Pension fund assets have also been used to assist with fiscal policy by assisting government to meet their borrowing needs through investments in issued bonds and treasury instruments.

Despite the severe impact of Covid-19 pandemic on the country’s economy and also on the rest of the world’s economy, pension fund assets have surprisingly held up and actually continue to grow. Pension fund assets continue to serve as the main, if not only source of retirement security for majority of our economically active persons going into retirement. Most people who unfortunately lost gainful employment through retrenchment as a result of the impact of the pandemic on their employers, would be destitute if not for the employer-sponsored pension fund savings that the former employees would have called on to keep them afloat.

Of course, managing pension funds during current pandemic times had to be adapted, so as not to be left behind. The current reality dictates that most pension fund members have to access services remotely through virtual means. The entire business of managing pension funds; from the contact between employers and services providers, meetings of boards of trustees as the custodians of pension fund assets, the exchange of relevant fund documents etc., is now predominantly done electronically. It is no doubt that some of the new forced learnings and new ways of doing business will become the new norm and has clearly marked the beginning of the fourth industrial revolution.

The employer sponsored pension fund arrangement has proven itself, having filled a vacuum in the absence of a any legal compulsion to contractually save towards the retirement wellbeing of the Namibian employee. The Namibian employee and organised labour organisations will not easily forgive or look kindly upon any employer who feels no moral compulsion to provide for the retirement wellbeing of employees and for other insurable life events, like death or physical incapacity. Employer pension funds have become de facto social contracts and anyone not giving them the space they deserved, will have to negotiate the Namibian employee.

* Marthinuz Ndumetana Fabianus is managing director of Retirement Fund Solutions (RFS). He has over 27 years’ pension fund experience. This piece is written in his private capacity.
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Covid-19: A holistic health pandemic

July 15, 2021, 3:00 pm
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Covid-19: A holistic health pandemicCovid-19: A holistic health pandemic Corporates take hands to make the working environment a better place. Jeanette Diergaardt



According to a survey done by Deloitte Namibia, during the first wave of Covid-19 in Namibia, about 60% of companies were ill prepared to deal with the full effects of the pandemic. Almost a year later, the country is in the grips of a devastating third wave.

From January 2020 to 7 July 2021, the country reported a total of 99 808 confirmed Covid-19 cases.

According to an article published in the South African Journal of Psychology (Volume 51), during global crises and pandemics less attention is usually given to the mental health of a country. The physiological effects will wane faster, whereas the psychological effects last a lot longer.

Tackling the bull by the horns

Various private companies and health institutions have since stepped up to help whoever is in need of healing.

STADIO, previously known as Southern Business School in Namibia, has joined forces with Future Media and Let’s Talk Psychologists to give support to the majority of the population. Discussions can be found on the online platforms of these institutions and on their social media platforms.

Namibia Health Plan (NHP), in partnership with the global company Mindful Revolution, is currently busy with a mental health series in order to combat the effects of Covid.

Dr Ingrid Meissnar, the head of Namibia Health Risk Solutions who started the Mindful Revolution programme in Namibia, says the mental health support they offer their beneficiaries reached a point of being overwhelmed. Therefore, they decided to take the support online to give access to all Namibians in need of help and assistance during these pressing times.
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Nedbank Go Green Fund, continues to support environmental education through the KEEP program

July 15, 2021, 3:00 pm
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Nedbank Go Green Fund, continues to support environmental education through the KEEP program Nedbank Go Green Fund, continues to support environmental education through the KEEP program Enhancing conservation and protecting natural resources in Namibia is not only a national issue, but also a national responsibility. The Go Green Fund has been co-funded by Nedbank and the Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF) since 2011.

The Fund aims to enhance conservation and protect natural resources in the country.

On its 14th anniversary in 2015, the Minister of Environment and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, applauded the Fund for the valuable contributions it has made to support the country’s biodiversity. “Along with the wide variety of successful projects, the longevity of the Go Green Fund is testament to the effective collaboration of the Namibia Nature Foundation and Nedbank in its implementation,” he said at the time. “This type of institutional collaboration is vitally important to assist in good biodiversity conservation outcomes, and sets a good example for others to follow.”

The Fund has since raised millions of dollars for funding more than 40 environmental projects across Namibia, such as the Khomas Environmental Education Program (KEEP). This interactive environmental education program was designed by and is implemented by the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF). Since 2015, over ten thousand learners have benefitted from the KEEP program.

Environmental education programmes offered by non-governmental (NGOs) and civil society organisations are a new teaching method in terms of changing attitudes and habits of citizens to address the challenges affecting the world and its people.

KEEP brings students from across the region to participate in field excursions at Daan Viljoen Game Reserve on the outskirts of Windhoek. The programme mainly focuses on hosting groups of Grade 3 and 4 learners accommodating more than two thousand five hundred annually in a pre-Covid year.

With the support of Nedbank Go Green Fund GCF helps to educate Namibia's future leaders, explains Stephanie Fennessy, the co-director and co-founder of the GCF. She points out the programme helps young people connect with nature and seeks to build a culture of environmental awareness, social responsibility and action in the country. And because it’s aligned to the Namibia national school curriculum, students and teachers apply principles that are familiar from the classroom while spending a day in the bush in an interactive, fun and practical experience.

Educators of sustainable development are grateful that KEEP continues inviting teachers and heads of departments to attend. Participation allows for the enhancement of their environmental knowledge and skills and to experience the adventurous field-based programme their students participate in. It also avails the opportunity to gain new tools for establishing environmental clubs at their respective schools.

The team is confident to reach out to more schools in the near future. During the last quarter of 2020, KEEP hosted an impressive 633 students (322 girls and 311 boys) and 50 teachers from 12 different schools and organisations, always adhering to the COVID-19 health protocols by wearing masks, sanitizing and maintaining social distance.

Fennessy says that participation has increased during 2021. “Since the beginning of this year, our team has hosted 1,064 students and 22 teachers so far. This means that we’ve already had more participants than in all of 2020. We look forward to schools reopening and continuing to implement the project.”

“KEEP aims to connect Namibian learners with their environment and show them how beautiful their own country is. While schools in Namibia have closed face-to-face teaching again, the KEEP team hopes to be able to reach out to primary schools in the Khomas Region soon and is looking forward to the prospect of taking primary school students into the field again soon,” the passionate environmentalist says.

Fennessy added that during these difficult times, the GCF team has found different means of reaching Namibian primary school students by partnering with One Africa TV and producing a series of eight environmental education episodes for broadcasting and streaming on social media channels to keep the young generation informed. “We’re bringing nature to them.”

The GCF team also extended an invitation to local tour guides to learn more about giraffes, their foundation and KEEP to share these stories with visitors.

Nedbank Namibia understands that by supporting conservation programmes such as KEEP, the bank helps our country to ensure that natural assets will deliver their full economic, social and environmental potential.
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COMPANY NEWS IN BRIEF

July 15, 2021, 3:00 pm
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COMPANY NEWS IN BRIEFCOMPANY NEWS IN BRIEF eBay to sell stake in Adevinta

US e-commerce firm eBay Inc said on Wednesday it would sell part of its stake in Norwegian classifieds group Adevinta to private equity group Permira for US$2.25 billion in cash.

The deal comes after Austria's Federal Competition Authority (FCA) demanded eBay reduce its financial interest in Adevinta to no more than 33% to approve the tie-up of their global classified ads businesses.

In the latest deal, eBay will sell 125 million shares, or 10.2%, to Permira, leaving the US firm with a 34% stake in the Adevinta. Permira has a 30-day option to buy an additional 10 million shares at the same price, reducing eBay's stake to 33%.

Under last year's deal, Adevinta was to acquire eBay's Classifieds Group in return for US$2.5 billion in cash and 540 million shares, valuing the transaction at about US$13 billion at current stock market prices.

The transaction between eBay and Permira is expected to close in the fourth quarter this year, Adevinta said. -Nampa/Reuters

Dunelm lifts profit view

British home furnishing retailer Dunelm said on Wednesday it expects annual earnings to top market expectations as people renovate their homes during the pandemic, but warned about cost pressures across the supply chain.

Dunelm, which said it has planned for two new distribution facilities to ramp up capacity that will cost it 12 million pounds this year and 8 million pounds in the next, declined to elaborate on the supply chain issues.

"Sales in the weeks following reopening on 12 April were exceptionally strong, partly reflecting pent up demand," the company said.

Dunelm reported online sales growth of 38% with total store sales surging 43.9% for the quarter ended June 26, thanks to demand for products including bedding, curtains and dining furniture.

The company said it expects a pretax profit of about 158 million pounds (US$218.6 million) for the year ended June 26, compared with analysts' average expectation of 149 million pounds to 153 million pounds, according to company-compiled estimates. - Nampa/Reuters

Nike loses fight against EU probe

US sportswear maker Nike on Wednesday lost its fight to stop a probe into its Dutch tax affairs, as Europe's second-highest court backed an EU investigation opened two years ago.

The EU case was part of a crackdown on multinationals' sweetheart tax deals with EU countries that Brussels says gives them an unfair advantage, among them Apple's Irish tax arrangements, and Fiat Chrysler and Amazon's Luxembourg deals.

The Luxembourg-based General Court dismissed Nike's challenge against the EU investigation. "The European Commission complied with the procedural rules, and neither failed to fulfil its obligation to state reasons nor made manifest errors of assessment," the court said.

Judges said the EU executive carried out its provisional assessment of the measures at issue in a diligent and impartial manner and that it did not breach the principle of good administration.

The US sportswear maker had objected to the Commission's 2019 decision to investigate five tax rulings issued by Dutch authorities from 2006 to 2015 to the company. - Nampa/Reuters

BT to phase out 3G in two years

BT, the owner of Britain's EE mobile company, said on Wednesday it would phase out 3G in the next two years to free up airwaves to help bring 5G to the entire country by 2028.

BT Consumer CEO Marc Allera said demand for mobile capacity was rising by 40% every year, and BT had switched on its 5G network in 160 towns and cities since it launched in 2019.

Traffic had more than quadrupled on its 5G network since October, when the 5G-enabled iPhone 12 launched, he said. While 4G and 5G demand continued to rise, traffic carried on older 3G and 2G networks was declining, he said. Less than 3% of data and 25% of voice traffic was carried on 3G in March.

"EE is the first operator to set a time frame to stop supporting 3G services in early 2023, with customers supported to move off it in a phased transition in the months ahead," he said in an online presentation.

The end of 2G services, which are now 25 years old, would follow later in the decade, he added. Third generation mobile technology, which launched in Britain in 2003, offered a jump in data capacity, enabling internet access on mobiles. -Nampa/Reuters

Delta Air swings to profit on vaccination

Delta Air Lines on Wednesday posted its first quarterly profit since the coronavirus pandemic began and said it expected to remain profitable for the rest of the fiscal year, as travel demand picks up on the back of speedy vaccinations.

Net income reached US$652 million, or US$1.02 per share, in the three months to June 30, helped by government aid for US airline workers' salaries as well as a strong rise in quarterly revenues, which topped analyst estimates.

"The days of cash burn are behind us," Delta Chief Executive Officer Ed Bastian told Reuters. "Domestic leisure travel has fully recovered to 2019 levels, and there are encouraging signs of improvement in business and international travel," he said.

Delta's second-quarter adjusted operating revenue fell 49% to US$6.35 billion from 2019, a marked improvement from the 60.4% slump in the first quarter and above analysts' average estimate of US$6.22 billion.

Delta said it expects adjusted operating revenue for the September quarter to be down 30% to 35% from two years ago, with the midpoint at US$8.47 billion, above a Refinitiv-IBES estimate of $8.23 billion. - Nampa/Reuters
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Invest in a tech team

July 15, 2021, 3:00 pm
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Invest in a tech teamInvest in a tech team Guest writer





As an artist, ask yourself why you don't have a tech team for your performances. Ask yourself why you struggle with tech riders and innovative ways to deliver and perform to your fans.

With five years of live events industry experience both locally and internationally, I’ve worked on teams that brought you designs and executions of jazz festivals, various music shows and the famous #GazzaMilliConcert.

An industry tech consultant will not only bring innovative ideas to your craft but will cut down on your budget by eliminating unnecessary equipment not needed for your shows.

Let's talk lighting, sound and most importantly visuals, also known as AV. All essential for a show, yes; but if they aren't prepared right and married to your performance, it'll look as mediocre as they come.

Let me paint a picture. Imagine you're performing and your song has that awkward break in between where there's one to two seconds of nothing. Musically, it's amazing, and what you can do on stage as a performer is trigger the lights to black out, leaving your audience in awe.

In those two seconds, you move to a different spot on stage and by the time a spotlight comes on, your audience will be amazed and the sync between the music and lights will make you look good! Different lights can be programmed in such a way that they are in sync with every kick, base and hi-hat of your song. Every time a drummer hits that snare, a light behind him will be triggered to pulse with every tap.

Now, visually, if you have screens on the stage, consider visuals that complement each song and go along with your message, lyrics as well as tempo. Due to limited time on sound checks, visuals can be pre-prepped outside of the set and ingested during sound checks.

Even if you don't have screens, consider having cameras and a director with a musical ear to record your performances for a later post on your socials like we did for Gazza's GMP Live Sessions, which you can find on his YouTube page. Also consider livestreaming.

*Rubben Mabuku is an audio visual engineer from Windhoek. He has worked on projects such as Gazza’s Milli concert, numerous Namibia Annual Music Awards events, jazz fests and a Formula 1 race track concert in Abu Dhabi. Follow him on Instagram @your_av_connoisseur.
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SkArii announces solo project

July 15, 2021, 3:00 pm
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SkArii announces solo project SkArii announces solo project Ohole Pack – A two-piece EP After releasing numerous collaborative projects, the music producer is ready to share his first solo EP on Friday, 23 July. MICHAEL KAYUNDE





WINDHOEK

Moses Benhard hails from the town of copper, or geographically speaking, Tsumeb. When he steps into his alter ego called SkArii, this 25-year-old heats it up like Dundee Precious Metals.

Having produced the viral hit song ‘When The Rain Rain So Much Heavily’ with his label mate Cota Inmza back in 2019 and following it up with joint EPs such as ‘Trendy Humour’ (2019), ‘Lazi Sessions’ (2020) and ‘Taboo’ (2021), you can understand the heat.

His ability to produce stellar beats has catapulted him into a league of his own, and now in the third quarter of 2021, he feels ready to release a solo project.

Titled ‘Ohole Pack’, he described this project as nostalgic but stressed that it’s still fresh and electric with a chilled vibe to it.

“The Ohole Pack is a two track EP. We will be releasing the track list to the public in due time.

“The project also pays homage to some of my favourite female Namibians artists,” he said.

Set apart

On the goals he has for ‘Ohole Pack’, SkArii shared that his previous projects were all joint efforts, thus he would like to achieve mainstream solo success, locally and internationally, and make a name for himself as one of the best upcoming producers in the country.

“This EP is innovative and different, nothing like it has been done in Namibia before. I strongly believe it will set me apart from my peers,” SkArii said confidently.

He added that the EP will come with visualisers on YouTube, but no music videos, stating that he’s still working on visuals for the previous EP (‘Taboo’) with his team. ‘Ohole Pack’ will be available on all major streaming platforms.
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It all started with a love of donuts

July 15, 2021, 3:00 pm
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It all started with a love of donutsIt all started with a love of donutsTwenty20 Coffee Shop and Bistro The newest coffee shop and bistro that opened three months ago at the Maerua Mall is best known for their variety of delicious donuts. Monique Adams

Twenty20 does not look like any other local coffee shop; the space brings a breath of fresh air with warmer tones and minimalistic European-inspired setting – combining Namibian and Serbian heritage.

The owners of the establishment are a young couple, Zorana and Michael Falk, and their love for coffee is what made them decide on opening a coffee shop. Their aspiration to deliver something new and different to Namibia also influenced this venture.

You are probably wondering where the name Twenty20 comes from. The idea to start a coffee shop came up in January 2020, and the couple decided to mark the date by naming it Twenty20.

“My wife, Zorana, and I travelled the world a fair bit. We always dreamt of having our own coffee shop and business. We took inspiration from all over the world and combined the best features to create a truly amazing environment and experience for anyone stepping in our shop,” Michael Falk says.

The coffee shop, with its fusion of European style and warm colours, and the variety of donuts that they offer, provides a customer with really good options to choose from.

They aim to provide great customer service for each person that steps into their shop. Both owners worked on ships in a six-star spa environment and with this experience they know the importance of good customer service.

Twenty20 employs four people and the company culture is having passion in what they do, making an impact on their customers and always being innovative and unique.

With every journey one comes across potholes, and the main challenge for the Twenty20 team is the Covid-19 pandemic but they keep on pushing by going the extra mile for their customers and providing home deliveries using local delivery companies.

Their greatest achievement has been introducing the popular royal donuts. But what makes these donuts so popular and has people coming back for more?

“The recipe was taken from Europe and slightly changed in order to be unique. Our donuts became the top-selling item from our menu,” Michael says.

The owners hope to expand, open other restaurants, remain the number one destination for their royal donuts, interior changes and many more in the next five years.

They measure success by happy customers who leave their place with smiles on their faces, but also by having a realistic business plan and sticking to it.

“The key to executing a proper plan is to work hard and be patient; success will eventually come. See an idea through and don’t listen to nay-sayers,” Zorana and Michael Falk advise aspiring entrepreneurs.
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Kenya car sales rebound in first half

July 15, 2021, 3:00 pm
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Kenya car sales rebound in first halfKenya car sales rebound in first halfConsumer confidence The first-half figures were also boosted by the fulfilment of customer orders placed in 2020. The industry sold 6 246 new vehicles during the first six months of this year. KMIA New car sales in Kenya jumped 35% in the first half of this year, the industry association said on Tuesday, buoyed by the lifting of some coronavirus lockdown measures.

Kenya is a small market for new vehicles as many consumers are confined to second-hand imports from Japan by purchasing power limitations.

The country does, however, have some local assembly of cars from global automakers like Volkswagen thanks to the market's growth potential.

The industry sold 6 246 new vehicles during the first six months of this year, the Kenya Motor Industry Association (KMIA) said.

Sales slumped in the same period a year earlier after the government imposed strict lockdown measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus. It started to roll them back towards the end of the year.

The first-half figures were also boosted by the fulfilment of customer orders placed in 2020, which had been held up by supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic, KMIA said.

They also benefited from increased spending by the government on infrastructure projects like construction of roads, the association said, which fuelled demand for light commercial cars. -Nampa/Reuters
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First woman chairperson for Han

July 15, 2021, 3:00 pm
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First woman chairperson for HanFirst woman chairperson for HanDetermined to fight for tourism recovery The Hospitality Association of Namibia has elected new executives in the most challenging year of its existence. ELLANIE SMIT

WINDHOEK

The Hospitality Association of Namibia (Han) has for the first time in its 34 years of existence elected a woman as its chairperson.

Janet Wilson-Moore, general manager of Swakopmund Hotel and Entertainment Centre, was elected to the position last week at Han’s AGM.

Han CEO Gitta Paetzold said despite the incredibly challenging times the tourism sector is facing at the moment, Han remains determined to strive and fight for tourism recovery and the promotion of Namibia as desirable and safe travel destination.

“As such, Han hosted its regular AGM last week, once again virtually, due to Covid-related restrictions on public gatherings, while it was decided to postpone the annual Tourism Congress, Han Tourism Trade Forum and Awards Gala to later in the year, when face-to-face meetings are possible.”

The two-day Han event is now scheduled for early September, should the Covid-situation in Namibia allow.

Unlocking new horizons

According to Paetzold, Han was founded by some 16 individuals in 1987 with a shared interest and investment in tourism accommodation in Namibia, mainly from the hotel and guest-farming categories.

“Over the years Han has grown into an association of just under 400 companies, 300 of which are direct accommodation businesses, with a collective estimated capital investment and fixed assets in Namibia of some N$7 billion, making this sector one of the most committed and attached sectors to business development for the country.”

Paetzold says that associate and affiliate Han members include industry suppliers, catering and restaurants, as well as tourism publishing and marketing companies, which over the years joined Han voluntarily to contribute to efforts to develop and promote the commercial tourism accommodation sector and in particular and Namibia’s tourism industry in general.

“As such, the current full Han membership represents some 7 000 rooms and 15 000 commercial beds offered as part of the Namibian tourism product on any given day.”

She says while Han primarily focuses on the tourism accommodation sector, all its efforts and achievements ultimately target and benefit the development and promotion of the Namibian tourism industry in general.

Tourism recovery

Paetzold adds that apart from an active role in the efforts for a tourism revival and recovery for the Namibian tourism industry, the Han executive and its members are committed to uphold the positive and safe image of Namibia as a unique and high-quality tourism destination.

Furthermore, Han continues to engage in projects and events to develop and promote new tourism trends and ideas.

As such, Han is focusing on efforts that “unlock new horizons”, the motto applied to the HAN Congress, HAN Tourism Trade Forum and Tourism Gala for this year, to put the Tsau / Khaeb National Park in the Karas Region on the map.

Mika Shapwanale, the general manager of Mushara Lodges, was elected as the vice-chairperson of Han, while the new members elected to the Han Executive are Anna Kankondi, the O&L group manager for stakeholder relations, Ally Karaerua, managing director of Natural Selection, Herman Kalipa, owner of Kali Guesthouse, Shuttle and Tours, and Suzanne Bonitz, owner of Reservation Destination.

They join Anett Koetting of Taleni Africa Holdings, general manager of Hotel Zum Kaiser, who is also the Han coastal chairperson, Johan Fourie of Wilderness Safaris, Ruggero Micheletti of Nkasa Lupala /Jackalberry Camp and Heidi Snyman of Café Anton/Schweizerhaus Hotel. She is also the longest serving Han Executive member and co-founder of the association over 30 years ago.
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Covid-19 leads to major backslide in childhood vaccinations

July 15, 2021, 3:00 pm
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Covid-19 leads to major backslide in childhood vaccinationsCovid-19 leads to major backslide in childhood vaccinations ELLANIE SMIT



WINDHOEK

A total of 23 million children around the world missed out on basic childhood vaccines last year.

This is the highest number since 2009 and 3.7 million more than in 2019, according to official data published this week by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (Unicef).

This latest set of figures, the first to reflect global service disruptions due to Covid-19, show that most countries last year experienced drops in childhood vaccination rates.

Up to 17 million children likely did not receive a single vaccination during the year, the data indicates.

Private paediatricians in Namibia last year reported that they had run out of vaccines for early childhood immunisation injections.

The shortage at private facilities resulted from logistical problems caused by the Covid-19 lockdown.

“Even as countries clamour to get their hands on Covid-19 vaccines, we have gone backwards on other vaccinations, leaving children at risk from devastating, but preventable diseases like measles, polio or meningitis,” said the WHO director-general, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus.

“Multiple disease outbreaks would be catastrophic for communities and health systems already battling Covid-19, making it more urgent than ever to invest in childhood vaccination and ensure every child is reached,” he said.

Losing valuable ground

As access to health services and immunisation outreach were curtailed, the number of children not receiving even their very first vaccinations increased in all regions.

Compared with 2019, 3.5 million more children missed their first dose of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine (DTP-1) while three million more children missed their first measles dose.

“This evidence should be a clear warning, the Covid-19 pandemic and related disruptions cost us valuable ground we cannot afford to lose and the consequences will be paid in the lives and wellbeing of the most vulnerable,” said Henrietta Fore, Unicef executive director.

“Even before the pandemic, there were worrying signs that we were beginning to lose ground in the fight to immunise children against preventable child illness, including with the widespread measles outbreaks two years ago.

“The pandemic has made a bad situation worse. With the equitable distribution of Covid-19 vaccines at the forefront of everyone’s minds, we must remember that vaccine distribution has always been inequitable, but it does not have to be.”

Undoing years of progress

Dr Seth Berkley, CEO of Gavi, the vaccine alliance, said these are alarming numbers, suggesting the pandemic is unravelling years of progress in routine immunisation and exposing millions of children to deadly, preventable diseases.

“This is a wake-up call – we cannot allow a legacy of Covid-19 to be the resurgence of measles, polio and other killers. We all need to work together to help countries both defeat Covid-19, by ensuring global, equitable access to vaccines, and get routine immunisation programmes back on track. The future health and well-being of millions of children and their communities across the globe depends on it,” he emphasised.
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Fuel smuggling continues

July 15, 2021, 3:00 pm
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Fuel smuggling continues Fuel smuggling continues TUYEIMO HAIDULA



OSHAKATI

The Namibian police in the Oshana Region have arrested a 46-year-old man after he was found in possession of smuggled fuel at the bridge near the Ompumbu location.

Oshana police spokesperson Thomas Aiyambo said Fabius Akawa was, on Tuesday, allegedly found in possession of 47 plastic 25-litre containers of fuel smuggled from Angola into Namibia.

Aiyambo said the suspect mostly goes to Oshikango in Ohangwena near the Angolan border to buy the fuel.

He said Akawa resells the petrol to taxi drivers in the Oshakati area for N$250 per container.

Hailing from Ongenga village in Ohangwena, Akawa appeared in the Oshakati Magistrate’s Court this week and was released on bail.

Police investigations continue.

Meanwhile, Aiyambo expressed concern over the smuggling of fuel, cigarettes, liquor and food from Angola into Namibia though mostly the Oshikango border post.

“The police in Oshana have intensified border patrols to combat fuel smuggling. This will not be allowed to continue,” he said.
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