Namibian Sun

Woman breaks daughter’s arm over spice

TUYEIMO HAIDULA

OSHAKATI

An elderly woman from Omulondo village in the Oshikoto Region allegedly beat her daughter so severely that it caused a fracture in her right arm, which later had to be amputated.

The woman - who cannot be named as she has not been arrested or charged – reportedly beat Wilka Shikongo after she ate spice which was meant to add flavour to the meat. Shikongo (43) is recovering at Onadjokwe State Hospital.

The incident happened around midday on 6 August at Shikongo’s mother’s homestead at Omulondo village in the Olukonda constituency. Oshikoto police confirmed the incident and said they would visit the victim yesterday to find out whether she wants to open a case.

Namibian law only allows the State to open a case on behalf of a victim younger than 18.

Fearing for her life

Acting as a family spokesperson, Shikongo’s sibling said they fear for her life and that their mother might end up killing her.

The man, who preferred not to be named, said their mother attacked Shikongo when one of her grandchildren told the pensioner that her daughter was eating the spice meant for the meat. He said his mother took a large stick (odibo) and began assaulting Shikongo with it.

“She was rushed to Onandjokwe hospital for medical attention. It was after several weeks that the doctor told her they have to amputate the arm,” he said.

tuyeimo@namibiansun.com

Investigate Rehoboth – PDM Minister urged to audit, remove council In an 87-page report, the late Van Wyk highlighted several alleged corrupt deals and asked the Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate.

JEMIMA BEUKES

WINDHOEK

Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) member of parliament Jennifer van der Heever has called for a special investigation into the affairs of the Rehoboth town council and allegations made by former Rehoboth mayor, Rudi van Wyk, before his death in June.

She also asked the minister of urban and rural development Erastus Utoni to order an audit of the council and remove the council.

Utoni is expect to respond to Van den Heever’s claims in Parliament today.

The Local Authority Act of 1992 allows the incumbent minister to remove or suspend the members of a local authority council from office.

In an 87-page report, Van Wyk highlighted several alleged corrupt deals and asked the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to investigate the council and the alleged mismanagement by the town’s CEO Simeon Kanime.

Van der Heever told Parliament this week that this alleged corruption and abuse of power has birthed a debt crisis, which is part of the reason the town remains indebted to NamPower and NamWater, which it owes millions of dollars.

According to her, these “explosive” allegations of corruption, abuse of authority and gross negligence must be looked into urgently.

Hold them accountable

“The allegations contained in the report are serious, and reflect the state in which the Rehoboth town council has been maladministered over the years without anyone being held accountable,” Van der Heever said.

“It is alleged that the CEO abused his position to unilaterally award a prepaid water meter tender to a company by the name of Item Engineering, even after the Rehoboth town council rejected the recommendation to award the said tender to Item Engineering,” she said.

The council was suspended in 2018 for failing to perform its duties as required by law after an investigation by the ministry uncovered irregularities, including poor financial management and lack of accountability.

jemima@namibiansun.com

Africa’s largest economy inflation easesAhead of central bank rate decision The increase in prices peaked in March due to Covid-19 disruptions, currency devaluations and security issues in food producing regions. The rise in the food index was caused by an increase in prices of bread and cereals, milk, cheese and egg, oil and fats tea and cocoa. National Bureau of Statistics (NBS)

CHIJIOKE OHUOCHA

Nigeria’s annual inflation eased in August for a fifth straight month to 17.01% after the pace of food price growth witnessed a drop, figures from the statistics office showed on Wednesday, ahead of a central bank rate-setting meeting this week.

Inflation, which has been in double digits since 2016, stood at 17.38% in July. The increase in prices peaked in March due to Covid-19 disruptions, currency devaluations and security issues in food producing regions.

Food price inflation, the major headline component, eased 73 basis points in August to 20.30% on-month, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said. Core inflation, excluding prices of farm produce, fell 31 basis points to 13.41%.

“The rise in the food index was caused by an increase in prices of bread and cereals, milk, cheese and egg, oil and fats tea and cocoa,” the NBS said in a report.

The government has said inflation is a structural problem linked to structural deficits and not solely a money supply issue, pointing out that most of it was also imported.

Expectations

Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele said on Tuesday the declining inflationary trend reflected several measures put in place by the fiscal and monetary authorities, without naming them.

Emefiele said he expected the pace of inflation to moderate as the country approached the harvest season.

The central bank is due to set benchmark interest rates on Friday. With fragile growth, few expect any alteration. The bank has been dovish since September by leaving rates on hold at 11.5%.

Though inflation, which is currently above the central bank’s 6%-9% target band, has pressured households, coupled with a shrinking labour market and mounting insecurity.

Africa’s largest economy contracted in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, though in the fourth quarter it managed to exit its recession, the second since 2016, and growth has now increased for three consecutive quarters to June 30. The economy expanded by 5% in the second quarter of this year. - Nampa/Reuters

Psemas axes non-compliant pensioners Retirees urged to read up on regulations Members going into retirement must apply to remain on the medical 90 days before they retire. Failure to do so will result in membership termination.

JEMIMA BEUKES

WINDHOEK

The government medical aid has removed over 15 000 retired members for failing to submit applications to remain as members at the time of their retirement.

This announcement was made by finance ministry spokesperson Tonateni Shidhudu yesterday.

Members going into retirement must apply to remain on the medical 90 days before they retire, and failure to do so will result in the termination of their membership.

The membership will also be terminated in the event the membership contribution is in arrears for three months or more and is not paid within one month of notification.

At risk of forfeiting

In a statement issued yesterday, the finance ministry said it has been established that some Public Service Employee Medical Aid Scheme (Psemas) members have withdrawn their full pension pay-outs despite knowing that their contribution to the medical aid must be deducted from this money monthly.

The ministry is, however, evaluating staff rules with relevant stakeholders to see whether it can salvage the situation.

“The ministry urges all staff members in the public service, especially those nearing the age of retirement, to acquaint themselves with the staff rules and regulations on Psemas to avoid forfeiting their medical aid benefits,” the statement read.

jemima@namibiansun.com

EDITORIAL: The unseen effects of poverty In today’s edition is a sad story of a woman who lost her arm after a scuffle with her mother over a food seasoning.

Wilka Shikongo allegedly ate the spice meant for food in the house and her enraged mother broke her arm in that brawl, leading to it later getting amputated at hospital.

The story has all the hallmarks of a struggling family. Hunger is, after all, a consequence of poverty.

When news like this breaks, we often dismiss it as mere violence. How could a mother do that to her own daughter, many would ask.

Poverty is more than a matter of dollars and cents. It has so many unseen elements that the naked eye cannot detect at a glance.

We cannot successfully fight poverty until we understand how it impacts individuals’ thinking and behaviour patterns. Eradicating poverty means confronting all its manifestations.

Poverty influences the way children are brought up. It is not the mere absence of food to eat or shoes to wear.

Poverty breeds unprovoked anger, hate with no substance and fear of the unknown.

Poverty is time-consuming too. It devours the time that we need to devote to family or even to sleep. That time is spent finding ways to make it through the next day alive.

Unless poverty is radically reduced, more arms will be broken over life’s simplest of needs – like spices.

Africa pleading for equitable access to vaccinesLift export bans Only nine vaccine doses have been administered per 100 people in Africa. The longer vaccine inequity persists, the more the virus will keep circulating and changing, the longer the social and economic disruption will continue. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General: WHO

ROBIN MILLARD

Africa wants to buy Covid-19 vaccines, rather than keep waiting for donor-funded doses to arrive, the African Union said Tuesday, imploring producers to give the continent a fair shot at market access.

The AU also urged manufacturing nations to lift export bans so the continent can begin to address for itself the glaring inequity in access to coronavirus jabs, as wealthy nations hog available doses.

"Vaccine sharing is good. But we shouldn't have to be relying on vaccine sharing," Strive Masiyiwa, the AU's Covid-19 special envoy, told a press conference at the World Health Organization in Geneva. "We want to buy from those same manufacturers."

The major Covid-19 vaccine producers have a moral responsibility to ensure to end the pandemic, he said, but "those manufacturers know very well that they never gave us proper access".

Just nine vaccine doses have been administered per 100 people in Africa, according to an AFP calculation.

That figure stands at 118 doses per 100 people in the United States and Canada, 104 in Europe, 85 in Asia, 84 in Latin America and the Caribbean, 69 in Oceania and 54 in the Middle East.

African nations "have been left behind by the rest of the world", said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The UN health agency chief spelled out the danger of leaving Africa so poorly covered by vaccines.

"This doesn't only hurt the people of Africa, it hurts all of us," he said.

Disruptions

"The longer vaccine inequity persists, the more the virus will keep circulating and changing, the longer the social and economic disruption will continue, and the higher the chances that more variants will emerge that render vaccines less effective."

John Nkengasong, director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, told the press conference that just under 3.5% of the eligible African population has been fully vaccinated.

The WHO wants 40% fully immunised in every country by the end of the year and 70% of the world's population by mid-2022.

It has called for countries to hold off administering extra booster shots until the end of December to allow more people to get a first dose instead.

The AU has set up the African Covid-19 Vaccine Acquisition Task Team, or AVAT, to purchase jabs for member states in a scheme to run alongside the donor-funded global Covax facility.

Masiyiwa said Africa was also setting up its own manufacturing capabilities and called for a temporary waiver of intellectual property rights on the vaccines, as a common good.

But the Zimbabwean telecoms mogul, who has been negotiating with vaccine suppliers, said lifting export restrictions would remove the most pressing issue preventing Africa from accessing more doses immediately.

He said: "It was a great miracle to have these vaccines. Now let this miracle be available to all mankind."- Nampa/AFP

ECN fesses up: Ndonga Linena was our mistake

Kenya Kambowe

Rundu

Outgoing Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) chairperson Notemba Tjipueja said Swapo’s Michael Kampota was wrongly was declared the winner of the 25 November 2020 Ndonga Linena Constituency election.

Tjipueja made the comment on Tuesday during Namibian Sun’s daily show The Evening Review, where she also indicated that the ECN takes full responsibility for the mistake.

“Unfortunately, what has happened at a number of polling stations is that the presiding officers ignored this specific legal provision and they actually they rejected the ballot papers which should not have been rejected,” she said.

“I think as a responsible election commission, we should take accountability because these are the people who were appointed by us for the process.”

Tjipueja’s remarks come just a day after the electoral court ruled that the 27 November 2020 Ndonga Linena results be declared null and void.

The court further ordered that a recount be conducted and results be announced within the next 20 days.

Persistence pays off

All this emanated from an aggrieved All People’s Party (APP) who took the ECN to the electoral court earlier this year disputing the Ndonga Linena results.

APP was adamant that 40 of the 57 rejected ballots announced at the time should have not been rejected because the voters’ intention was to pick their candidate, Djami Daniel, who lost by a mere 12 votes.

At first, APP only wanted the court to grant them an order to access the election materials in order to prove that some of rejected ballots should have been counted in their favour.

That order was given in August, however, to APP’s surprise, 53 of the 57 spoilt ballots could not be traced.

It was on that basis it again approached the court for a recount.

A default judgement was given in the APP’s favour because ECN failed to oppose the application.

However, with Tjipueja’s revelation, it appears ECN had time to rectify its mistake by removing the 53 ballots from those initially declared as rejected and placed them amongst those eligible to be counted.

Risks

Meanwhile, Tjipueja also spoke on issues such as the challenges that could lead to such errors, which includes human error during elections.

“I think you need to appreciate that these people are being trained for a certain period. Financially, we cannot keep them in training for a very long period so these people, we do have a database where we try to use people who already had electoral experience, but of course we are relying on people who do not work or have the loyalty towards ECN on a full-time basis,” she said.

“So, those risks are always there when you employ people who are not fully employed by you or who have that loyalty or have the integrated values of the system as they are just there for the time of the elections and then they are gone. That human element of error or negligence, whatever you may call it, it can creep in. It does creep in at certain times.”

On Tuesday, reported that APP president Ignatius Shixwameni has labelled the ECN fraudulent organisation, and called on its senior leaders to resign.

Tjipueja said she understands his reaction to the situation.

“We understand the dissatisfaction of the leader of the APP with the outcome of the election at the time, but it is important to note that we have legal processes in place where dissatisfied parties or associations can go to court and seek for a remedy,” she said.

kenya@namibiansun.com

Namibia runs low on condoms

TUYEIMO HAIDULA

OSHAKATI

There are no condoms at most bars and sheebens in northern Namibia as well as some clinics and health centres in the Khomas Region, which have been the hot spots for contraceptive distribution.

This shortage has been about by the Covid-19 pandemic. Bar owners have expressed disappointment as their customers usually grab condoms from establishments on their way home.

Namibian Sun also understands that some health centres in Oshana and Khomas have once again run out of injectable contraceptives. Windhoek Central Hospital, Onandjokwe State Hospital and Ondangwa Adolescents and Youth Health+ Centre have run out of the norethisterone (Nur-Isterate) injection.

Just last year, a study compiled by the Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition and Global Financing Facility envisaged that up to 27 900 unintended pregnancies may occur in Namibia because of a shortage of contraceptives.

While health executive director Ben Nangombe had at the time assured the country that the disruptions caused by the pandemic, would be resolved by June and most contraceptives and other pharmaceuticals would be delivered at the ministry's Central Medical Store, the shortage persists.

Nangombe was not available for comment yesterday.

Double whammy

Linda Baumann, human rights and gender activists, said while there has been no formal communication from the health ministry, they too have observed through their community outreach programmes that the condom distribution at bars and clinics has diminished.

She further lamented that condoms have become a capitalist money-making scheme, and challenged the health ministry to resolve the issue immediately as the poor distribution will not only impact the country’s efforts to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS, but will also increase teenage pregnancy.

“This means the effect has doubled up in terms of weak access as it was already slowing down before the pandemic. People don’t need to ask anyone or buy condoms when they enter a bar or clinic. They should just pick up when they need to use it, but now those condoms are nowhere in sight,” she said.

Baumann said condoms and contraceptives should be part of the minimum package for sexual reproductive health offered to Namibians, adding that lubricants should also be added for key populations.

“Teenage pregnancy is high. Children are being taught at school how to protect themselves from pregnancy, but the commodity to use is not available,” she said.

Teen pregnancy problem

Community outreach coordinator for the Namibia Planned Parenthood Association, Risto Mushongo said he is concerned by the alternative methods being offered to young women who do not wish to fall pregnant.

Namibia faces a massive teen pregnancy problem. Earlier this year, the education ministry announced that 3 323 girls fell pregnant between March and July 2020 during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Mushongo said this number can easily increase as these young girls opt to not take any contraceptive if what they normally use is unavailable.

Currently, most health centres and hospitals have the implant, known as the Jadelle, and the medroxyprogesterone (Depo Provera) injection.

tuyeimo@namibiansun.com

Traffic camera deal: PG to decideProbe still underway 16 months later Prosecution is now a possibility in a probe regarding the N$12 million installation of traffic cameras that have not worked to date. JANA-MARI SMITH

WINDHOEK

Police chief Sebastian Ndeitunga says the police will submit their findings of an investigation into a multimillion-dollar traffic management system tender to the Prosecutor-General for a decision whether to prosecute anyone involved.

Sixteen months after the police opened a fraud investigation into the N$12 million traffic management system tender that involved the installation of 12 highway cameras, the probe is still underway.

In May 2020, police confirmed they are “investigating a charge of fraud” into the tender that was awarded by the Namibian police to CSS Tactical Security Namibia in 2015.

The project cost more than N$12 million.

This week, police chief Sebastian Ndeitunga confirmed in a written statement that the “matter is still under investigation”.

He said “progress to that effect will be shared once the case docket is submitted to the Office of the Prosecutor-General for decision”.

The police declined to answer why the investigation has dragged on for more than a year, and whether any members of CSS, including its director, businessman Amos Shiyuka, have been called in for questioning.

No contact

Lawyer Francois Erasmus however said no one had yet been interviewed and they remain in the dark as to the investigation’s progress.

He has been fielding media questions on behalf of Shiyuka and CSS since last August.

Erasmus said “nothing has transpired” since January, when he wrote “unfortunately, we have heard nothing from any source regarding the finalisation, or not, of the investigation”.

Erasmus last year made it clear that CSS was not guilty of any wrongdoing, and that the company was eager to clear its name.

In early December, seven months after the case docket was opened, Erasmus wrote that they had not “heard anything further from the police despite our enquiries and insistence that the investigation be concluded. Our client wants to exonerate its good name and reputation”.

Complex

In February, head of the police’s Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), Commissioner Moritz !Naruseb, provided a more elaborate response on the progress of the probe.

He said the investigation was “very sensitive and at an advance stage”, but noted that the pandemic had thrown in numerous unavoidable hurdles.

He stressed that “despite all odds, we are determined to bring the investigation to a conclusion in a reasonable time”.

Ten witnesses had been interviewed by February and affidavits obtained, while other witnesses failed to show up to interviews, he said.

!Naruseb said “CSS in this instance is regarded as a ‘person of interest’ and other possible individuals. As such, they will be the last to be interviewed after all the evidence was collected”.

He concluded that “due to the seriousness and the magnitude of the matter”, and depending on the investigation’s final conclusions, the Office of the Prosecutor-General will decide on the way forward.

White elephants

Meanwhile, the 12 high-tech yellow speed cameras that were installed by CSS on the B1 and B2 highways, as part of the multimillion-dollar Traffic Contravention Management System almost six years ago, remain inactive.

Police chief of traffic, deputy commissioner Amelia Gawanas, this week said she could not provide an update on the cameras and what the police plan to do with them, as the matter is now in the CID’s hands.

It has been reported that the majority of cameras have been vandalised, their software has lapsed and that they are not in working condition.

Last year, Namibia Media Holdings reported, based on an extensive response by CSS’s legal team, that the company won the tender to supply, install and commission the traffic management system and related services in April 2014. The original contract was signed in January 2015 for N$3.7 million.

“All deliverables in terms of this original contract were met by CSS” during 2015.

At the end of 2015, the police ordered additional equipment and services, including the 12 stationary yellow speed cameras, CSS’s legal team said.

Moreover, “infrastructure shortcomings were identified at some traffic locations” and the police requested quotations for networking and structural cabling in several regions.

As a result, the total price tripled to N$12.3 million.

The legal team in August emphasised that its client hopes the investigation will be concluded as early as reasonably possible and that they are “confident that upon a thorough consideration of all relevant material, it will be exonerated from any alleged wrongdoing”.

Erongo RED adjusts electricity tarrifsWeighted average of 1.7% tariff The adjustment was a result of ECB’s average increase on NamPower’s tariff from N$1.65 to N$1.69 per kilowatt for the 2021/22 financial year. We are still committed to providing subsidised tariffs especially now that Covid-19 has affected our vulnerable members of the community. Fessor Mbango, CEO: Erongo RED

The Electricity Control Board (ECB) has approved a weighted average of 1.7% tariff adjustment by Erongo RED effective July 2021 to June 2022.

The adjustment according to Erongo RED Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Fessor Mbango was a result of ECB’s average increase on NamPower’s tariff from N$1.65 to N$1.69 per kilowatt for the 2021/22 financial year.

“It is worth noting that for the past two years, this will be the first time that Erongo RED is increasing their tariffs. As a company, we are still committed to providing subsidised tariffs especially now that Covid-19 has affected our vulnerable members of the community,” Mbango noted.

He added that despite the increase, pensioners will continue to enjoy other benefits such as not paying basic charges up to 40-ampere circuit breakers; subsidised tariffs (special tariffs) up to 40-ampere circuit breakers and installation of prepaid electricity boxes free of charge.

Erongo RED has also resolved to continue with lifeline tariffs for customers on the 20-ampere circuit breakers, who will be charged on the inclining block tariff structure.

“The inclining block tariffs means that the electricity price is divided into three blocks. The first block of electricity is at the lowest price for the first 100 units. As the customer purchases more electricity during the month, the electricity bought will eventually fall in block two for the next 400 units, which is a bit more expensive. This process repeats automatically as the customer purchases further electricity to move into the last block, which is above 500 units,” the CEO explained.

Erongo RED has pledged its support to vulnerable community members, especially customers who cannot afford to pay the actual retail tariffs who are advised to move to the lifeline tariff provided they meet the qualification criteria set out in the Social Tariff policy.

“For this financial year, we also took into account the current economic situation and the impact of electricity cost on our commercial and industrial customers, the impact of Covid-19 on the industries, businesses, farmers and our residential consumers,” Mbango noted. - Nampa

Nedbank Kapana Cook-off set for this weekend

STAFF REPORTER

The 2021 Nedbank Kapana Cook-Off Competition, which was launched on 7 May 2021, will host its central round on Saturday, 18 September at the Soweto Market in Katurura.

The competition, which aims to promote entrepreneurship, launched in May this year, with the Coastal round taking place in the same month, however the competition had to be put on hold due to the government imposed nation-wide Covid-19 restrictions. With the Covid-19 restrictions now relaxed, Nedbank is pleased to announce that the Central and Northern rounds of the Kapana Cook-Off are scheduled to take place in on Saturday, 18 September and Saturday, 2 October respectively, with the final set to take place on Saturday, 16 October in Windhoek.

The winner will be awarded with a chance to either start up, or formalise their existing business with the winning prize which is worth N$100 000, which includes a fully-fledged mobile food truck and a cash prize of N$ 10 000. Second and third place winners will win cash prizes of N$ 7 000 and N$ 3 000 respectively.

SME’s

Covid-19 has highlighted that small medium and enterprises (SME’s) are an important driving force of economic growth and an important engine for job creation. “The Nedbank Kapana Cook off is one of the vehicles Nedbank Namibia utilises to reach out to the small players in the market, who are ultimately already running a small business, who aspire to expand and formalise their operations. It is run on a national scale, demonstrating how resolute we are at reaching Namibians everywhere, no one is left behind, the winner could be anywhere in Namibia, and the cook off opens a door in providing an opportunity someone may never have dreamt of,” says Nedbank Namibia communications manager, Selma Kaulinge.

To date, Nedbank Namibia has invested over N$3 000 000 in hosting this flagship national competition in support of small businesses and celebrating our true Namibian cuisine. The Nedbank Kapana Cook-off competition is hosted in partnership with Bakpro and the Namibian Chefs Association.

Zula with Gazza and KFC

STAFF REPORTER

WINDHOEK

Last October, KFC Namibia approached Gazza to be the official judge and mentor for its 50/50 festive campaign.
“Working with Gazza and his team to scout out undiscovered music talent in Namibia was epic!” Ricky Brown, KFC Namibia general manager said.
“So, when he proposed we partner up again on the launch of his ‘Messiah’ album, there was no holding us back.”
Having an iconic figure like Gazza endorse the launch of KFC’s Zula Bucket for 1 is a perfect case for brand parity, pairing the country’s most accomplished musician with the much-loved chicken.
KFC has an appeal which supersedes all socioeconomic and cultural biases, offering great value to consumers, with something for everyone’s pocket.
“Bringing Gazza’s latest album to our consumers when they purchase one of our most affordable product offerings is a stroke of genius,” Brown said.
“It gives our customers a taste of what KFC really stands for… customer satisfaction, enjoyment and affordability, at every turn.”

Unlock ‘Messiah’
Commissioned by Gazza Music Productions (GMP), Werner Alweendo engineered a new music platform, Africentric, to launch the ‘Messiah’ album through KFC outlets nationwide.
The platform uses the eatery’s Wi-Fi and a simple voucher code system to assign tracks to a Zula Bucket for 1 purchase.
The album will be launched over the next eight weeks through KFC outlets, with a song released every week.
Each track will be available to stream for a specific week only, and once the week ends, a new song can be unlocked with a new code.
Fans who unlock six songs will then be able to stream the full 16-track album on Africentric.

Innovative zula
In a recent interview, Gazza said KFC provided him with an opportunity to not only commercialise this new body of work, but also enabled him do something that has never been done before in Namibia. “With KFC’s vast reach, we are now able to instantly cater to fans across the country. And in the current financial climate, artists like me need to think of innovative ways to survive from our art, our ‘zula’.
“When a smart partnership opportunity comes along, we must grab it!” he said.
The Zula Bucket for 1 promotion not only gives Gazza fans the opportunity to enjoy their favourite KFC, but they now get to listen to a ‘Messiah’ track at the very same time for free.
Get Gazza’s new album, track for track, when you purchase a KFC Zula Bucket for 1 for only N$34.90.

Capricorn’s profit after tax jumps 14.8%

Jo-Maré Duddy – Locally-listed Capricorn Group, with Bank Windhoek as its flagship brand, today reported an operating income of more than N$1.29 billion for its 2021 financial year, down nearly 0.8% from its previous book-year.
Its total income for the year ended 30 June 2021, however, exceeded N$3.7 billion, an increase of about 6.4% year-on-year (y/y). Profit after tax of more than N$983 million was up nearly 14.8% y/y.
The group’s total comprehensive income fell by around 5.3% y/y to nearly N$877.5 million.
Capricorn’s headline earnings per share (HEPS), a profitability gauge, rose by 10.3% y/y to 173.4c. Earnings per share (EPS) increased by nearly 14.9% to 170.7c.
The group declared a final dividend of 38c per ordinary share. Considering the interim dividend of 22c per ordinary share, this represents a total dividend of 60c per ordinary share (2020: 50c).
“Despite the business being exposed to the direct and indirect impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on various levels, Capricorn Group showed tremendous resilience and performed much better than anticipated 12 months ago,” it said.
“I am pleased with the commendable performance of the group against all the odds,” said Capricorn’s group CEO, Thinus Prinsloo.
“We have a dynamic business model to create and preserve value while remaining true to our group’s purpose. The group has a real competitive strength in local decision-making, especially in the way it affects customers. This is our main driver for growing market share,” he added.
According to the group’s financial director, Jaco Esterhuyse: “Our results demonstrate how Capricorn Group used our advantage of being local, nimble, and responsive. We were able to preserve and grow value for our stakeholders even though Namibia’s economy was in a recession before the Covid-19 pandemic and had to deal with the economic and social shock brought about by Covid-19.”

Troubled Jonas speaks out‘I have more to offer’ Talented boxer Jonas Junias Jonas has opened up about his troubled past. LIMBA MUPETAMI

WINDHOEK

Namibian boxer Jonas Junias Jonas has won everything except an Olympic medal, and that is one thing which continues to haunt him.

The 27-year-old Jonas’s brilliance in the ring has seen him win 24 of his 30 fights. He has, however, not replicated this success in his life outside the boxing ring.

In 2016, at the Rio Olympics, he was accused of sexual assault by a cleaner at the athletes’ village where he stayed and was arrested. He was allowed to compete, but lost his first-round fight to Hassan Amzile of France in the light welterweight division. Thereafter spent about eight months in Brazil awaiting a decision, unsure of his future.

Through intervention by the Namibian embassy in Brazil and because there was little evidence to implicate the Namibian boxer, the case was thrown out. But the ordeal left a very deep scar which wasn’t dealt with.

In April this year, prior to the Tokyo Olympic Games, Jonas was arrested again, this time in his home town of Swakopmund. He was charged with attempted murder and assaulting a police officer.

Jonas maintained his innocence and was granted bail to travel to Tokyo to represent the country, but again he left no mark.

He was defeated by Australia's Harry Garside in the men's lightweight round of 16 and had to return home empty-handed.

Jonas said he took time out after the Games to reflect.

“The arrest saga two months before my second Olympic Games got to me. Even though I acted fine. I was in fear. I wasn't myself even though I acted okay. But it was visible but no help came. Mixed emotions and confusion hit me so hard.

“I needed time to recover, I thought I had it under control but it cost me another medal,” the boxer said.

Jonas has not had the benefit of therapy to help him deal with the ordeal. He said he is unemployed and this means money for counselling is limited.

He added, however, that his dream is alive and well and that he is trying to deal with the effect the arrest had on him.

“I don’t want to delve too much into the past. All I know is that I don’t want to sit at home. I don’t give up easily.

“My starvation and will to feed my family are forcing me to turn professional, and I still owe myself and people who support my dreams a gold medal.”

He mentioned the likes of the secretary-general of the Namibia Olympic Committee, Joan Smith, his coach Albertus Tsamaseb, his mother and family members as his greatest sources of inspiration. He added that he owes the Namibian nation gold at the Olympic Games.

This is something he can still do even after turning professional; he just needs to limit his professional fights to eight.

Jonas is a Commonwealth Games silver and gold medallist (2014 and 2018), and also an African Games silver and bronze medallist (2015 and 2019).

-limba@namibiansun.com

COMPANY NEWS IN BRIEF

Air New Zealand studying low-emissions

Air New Zealand Ltd said it was studying how it could use low-carbon technologies like electric, hybrid or hydrogen powered planes to dramatically reduce emissions from shorter and regional flights as soon as 2030.

The airline signed a memorandum of understanding with Airbus SE to research the impact hydrogen planes would have on Air New Zealand's network, operations and infrastructure.

Airbus said it is hoping to bring a hydrogen plane to market by 2035 a goal some industry officials and analysts believe to be ambitious.

This agreement brings us a step closer to "seeing low carbon solutions in place for our shorter domestic and regional flights in the next decade," said Air New Zealand Chief Executive Greg Foran.

Airbus has already struck similar hydrogen study deals with easyJet and SAS in Europe as airlines around the world look to meet ambitious emissions targets in line with government commitments. Aviation accounts for around 2.5% of global carbon emissions. - Nampa/Reuters

New Jersey to shed Unilever assets

A New Jersey state treasury official said on Wednesday it is set to divest US$182 million in Unilever Plc stock and bonds held by its pension funds over the restriction of sales by the consumer giant's Ben & Jerry's ice cream brand in Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories.

It is the latest action by a US state challenging Unilever over Ben & Jerry's move in July to end a license for its ice cream to be sold in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Ben & Jerry's said selling its products there was "inconsistent with its values."

New Jersey's Division of Investment had said on Tuesday it made a preliminary determination that maintaining its investment in Unilever would be a breach of a state law barring it from investing in companies boycotting Israel.

A Unilever representative said it had no comment on the state decision, but cited a letter to the state from CEO Alan Jope from August stating Unilever has "a strong and long-lasting commitment to our business in Israel," where it employs nearly 2000 people.

Jope noted Ben & Jerry's has an independent board overseeing its social mission, and said Unilever does not support the "Boycott Divestment Sanctions" movement that seeks to isolate Israel over its treatment of the Palestinians. -Nampa/Reuters

Cisco forecasts growth from software shift

Cisco Systems Inc on Wednesday forecast that within four years, about half its revenue will come from software and other recurring sales, but its chief financial officer told Reuters high chip prices in its hardware business will keep pressuring overall profits.

Cisco is the biggest maker of networking gear for data centres and corporate campuses, but it is shifting toward selling recurring subscriptions for software such as its WebEx collaboration service and cybersecurity services.

At an event with Wall Street analysts, Cisco said it believes the portion of its revenue coming from subscriptions will rise from 44% notched for its fiscal 2021 ended July 31 to 50% by fiscal 2025.

The company gave a fiscal 2025 revenue forecast with a midpoint of US$62.9 billion, saying it expects a compound annual growth rate of 5% to 7%. Cisco predicted the same growth rate for adjusted profits, targeting a midpoint of US$4.07 per share in fiscal 2025.

Cisco Chief Financial Officer Scott Herren said the company's software units do have higher margins than its hardware business, but some subscription revenue will also come from services that have lower margins than software. -Nampa/Reuters

GM gives Chevrolet recommendations

General Motors Co on Wednesday recommended that Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicle owners parking in decks do so on the top floor or on an open level, at least 50 feet away from other vehicles, citing potential fire risks.

The precaution would "reduce potential damage to structures and nearby vehicles in the rare event of a potential fire," a company spokesman said in an email. GM sent a notice to consumers who had asked about parking issues, he added.

GM had previously asked owners to park Bolt vehicles outdoors, away from structures, and to not charge them overnight.

GM also urged owners to not leave Bolt EVs charging unattended, even if using a charging station in a parking deck. Bloomberg News reported the recommendation earlier.

GM in August widened its Bolt recall to more than 140 000 vehicles to replace battery modules, at a cost now estimated at US$1.8 billion after reports of 10 fires. -Nampa/Reuters

Philip Morris seals deal to buy Vectura

Cigarette maker Philip Morris (PMI)said it had received about 75% of Vectura shares from shareholders as part of a public tender offer process to acquire the British company, following a bidding war with Carlyle.

Vectura shareholders had until Sept. 15 to decide whether to tender their shares to PMI, which sought to buy the London-listed asthma drug maker as part of its plan to go "smoke-free" and switch to healthcare and wellness products.

"We have reached an important milestone in our acquisition of Vectura and are pleased to have secured over 74% of the company's shares, in excess of the 50% required to make our offer unconditional and PMI the majority shareholder," PMI Chief Executive Officer Jacek Olczak said on Thursday.

The company has extended the deadline for the remaining Vectura shareholders to tender their shares to Sept. 30.

Philip Morris has received regulatory clearance for the deal, but health groups are questioning the idea of a tobacco company making money from treating the very illnesses that cigarettes cause. -Nampa/Reuters

Nedbank supports frontline health workersDonate-A-Meal campaign supports healthcare workers and restaurants simultaneously Nedbank Namibia recently introduced a nationwide meal campaign partnering with local charities, restaurants and catering services to help unburden healthcare workers in the Covid-19 brawl.

For restaurants and their workers, the abrupt closures, inconsistent re-openings and changes in the public health guidance for operations have placed severe pressure on the foodservice industry.

Kick-starting the initiative, the banks pledged secured up to 2000 meals for the project, whilst members of the public have been donating via the PayToday app.

“The app makes it much easier for us to run the administrative aspect of the project, which is all done from a spirit of volunteerism. To date N$9 900 has been received and more s coming through daily. Thus far, 10 restaurants and chefs were given the opportunity to prepare meals, allowing them to help frontline staff and generate a small income at the same time,” said Marsia Reed of Lithon Foundation.

During the first week, El Barrios Tapas Bar and restaurant prepared for staff at the Katutura hospital 381 full meals based on their Latin-inspired recipes.

“It’s an honour to be part of this initiative to serve our heroes, to make them happy and to comfort them, especially in these difficult times,” said one of the restaurant managers.

During the second week, 584 meals from Andy’s Pub were dispatched to the respiratory unit at Katutura hospital and vaccination sites across Windhoek.

Sardinia Blue Olive prepared pizza during week three and managed 394 meals in total. The following week, 369 food parcels were dispatched from Mekenificent Wellness, who provide healthy and delicious meals.

Their team appreciated the selfless job that the health workers continue to do. Outside the capital, meals were prepared by Chef Eli for staff at the Onandjokwe hospital, whilst other towns benefiting from their local foodservice suppliers included Gobabis, Keetmanshoop, Okahandja, Rehoboth, Rundu, Swakopmund, Tsumeb and Walvis Bay.

Undoubtedly, the initiative is a survival strategy and it is important to help it to support our local communities. Lucas Katupao, a nurse at the Prefab Isolation Centre, expressed his gratitude on behalf of the centre.

“Thank you very much for keeping us in mind and acknowledging our efforts. May God bless you,” he said.

Another expression of gratitude came from a healthcare worker, Bernadette Shipanga, who serves at the Roman Catholic hospital. She said that the packaged meals help fill a gap and serve as a reminder that the country is rooting for health workers.

The strength of this program is demonstrated by the community’s collaborative support and even though the third wave of Covid-19 cases has subsided, much work remains to be done.

Namibians are encouraged to continue donating in order for organisers to be able to respond swiftly if necessary as we confront this unprecedented crisis.

The partnership includes 3Measures, Co-Feed Namibia, Lithon Foundation, PayToday and Ogilvy and has achieved commendable work thus far. Total distributions to date are 1 751 meals in four weeks.

Interested parties are invited to undertake to provide one meal at a time for our healthcare workers. Visit the PayToday app under the Donate-A-Meal account and nominate your preferred hospital or healthcare centre.

For restaurants and their workers, the abrupt closures, inconsistent reopening’s and changes in the public health guidance for operations have placed severe pressure on the foodservice industry.

Kick-starting the initiative, the banks pledged secured up to 2000 meals for the project, whilst members of the public have been donating via the PayToday app.

“The app makes it much easier for us to run the administrative aspect of the project, which is all done from a spirit of volunteerism. To date N$9 900 has been received and more s coming through daily. Thus far, 10 restaurants and chefs were given the opportunity to prepare meals, allowing them to help frontline staff and generate a small income at the same time,” said Marsia Reed of Lithon Foundation.

During the first week, El Barrios Tapas Bar and restaurant prepared for staff at the Katutura hospital 381 full meals based on their Latin-inspired recipes.

“It’s an honour to be part of this initiative to serve our heroes, to make them happy and to comfort them, especially in these difficult times,” said one of the restaurant managers.

During the second week, 584 meals from Andy’s Pub were dispatched to the respiratory unit at Katutura hospital and vaccination sites across Windhoek.

Sardinia Blue Olive prepared pizza during week three and managed 394 meals in total. The following week, 369 food parcels were dispatched from Mekenificent Wellness, who provide healthy and delicious meals.

Their team appreciated the selfless job that the health workers continue to do. Outside the capital, meals were prepared by Chef Eli for staff at the Onandjokwe hospital, whilst other towns benefiting from their local foodservice suppliers included Gobabis, Keetmanshoop, Okahandja, Rehoboth, Rundu, Swakopmund, Tsumeb and Walvis Bay.

Undoubtedly, the initiative is a survival strategy and it is important to help it to support our local communities. Lucas Katupao, a nurse at the Prefab Isolation Centre, expressed his gratitude on behalf of the centre.

“Thank you very much for keeping us in mind and acknowledging our efforts. May God bless you,” he said.

Another expression of gratitude came from a healthcare worker, Bernadette Shipanga, who serves at the Roman Catholic hospital. She said that the packaged meals help fill a gap and serve as a reminder that the country is rooting for health workers.

The strength of this program is demonstrated by the community’s collaborative support and even though the third wave of Covid-19 cases has subsided, much work remains to be done.

Namibians are encouraged to continue donating in order for organisers to be able to respond swiftly if necessary as we confront this unprecedented crisis.

The partnership includes 3Measures, Co-Feed Namibia, Lithon Foundation, PayToday and Ogilvy and has achieved commendable work thus far. Total distributions to date are 1 751 meals in four weeks.

Interested parties are invited to undertake to provide one meal at a time for our healthcare workers. Visit the PayToday app under the Donate-A-Meal account and nominate your preferred hospital or healthcare centre.

Namibian hip-hop mourns Kanibal Musician paved the way It’s a dark week for the Namibian music as the industry mourns one of its hip-hop legends.

MICHAEL KAYUNDE

WINDHOEK

On Wednesday, 15 September, a dark cloud settled over the Namibian hip-hop fellowship when media announced the death of legend Shilongo Peuyavali Ashipala, better known as Kanibal.

The rapper and producer was truly one of a kind in the music industry – with his music impacting both new and old generations. Fellow musicians and fans took to social media to send their condolences to the musician’s family and friends.

Renowned rapper KK, who doubles as a friend and frequent collaborator, remembers Kanibal as a musician who never needed anyone else to create magic. “One-man army! A literal genius and one of the realest people I know. For you, my brother, I shed tears. We lost a real one and it breaks my heart,” he said.

“No one in this industry believed in me more, no one hyped me up more, since that first day we met at Zoo Park and when I walked into your office with my school uniform and you laughed at me. A true friend and a genuine human being,” KK added.

God-given talent

Singer and friend Desmond - formerly known as Lil D - said Kanibal inspired many people in so many ways.

Describing the late musician as a genius, he added: “Thank you for always believing in us all from the very beginning and sharing your God-given talent with us all. You were never afraid to show love and admiration and wore your heart on your sleeve,” Desmond said.

Rapper Emvee K shared that she lost a lecturer, mentor, an icon, “and, most heartbreakingly, I lost a friend”.

Pillar of hip-hop

JBlack’s message read: Namibian hip-hop has lost its pillar and its home. Those who know, know… Behind the scenes, doing his own stuff, etc. Kanibal single-handedly gave life to Namibian hip-hop.

“Take his contribution away and we have a huge hole. Nobody is better than Kanibal in Namibia at making hip-hop music, any type, any flow, any beat, any concept... Only Kanibal hands down. He knows that very well also, at least we told him these things.”

According to the initial police report, the ‘Corner’ hitmaker committed suicide. He was 38.

NamPower uplifts grassroots sports Sports must be nurtured and developed early in the developing years of schoolchildren.

Enzo Amuele

NamPower has donated N$16 000 as part of the company’s social corporate responsibility at the send-off of the International Schools Sports Federation u/15 team to Serbia on 9 September 2021 at Windhoek Gymnasium Private School.

According to the marketing officer of Nampower, Martha Shifotoka, NamPower believes that grassroot sports is extremely important to any developing sporting nation, as it is a foundation for sport for life and for high-performance sport in future. More importantly, when delivered well, it creates immense value and develops more talents for the country in the years to come.

Shifotoka emphasised that it is important that sport is nurtured and developed very early in the developing years of schoolchildren, as an early physical foundation enables athletes to better advance and excel in their respective sports.

“This can only be done once our grassroots school sports in Namibia is taken seriously and nurtured by all stakeholders, be it compulsory sports in schools, bigger budget allocations or more funding partners coming on board,” she said.

Shifotoka added that the more you invest in grassroots sport, the bigger your value, outcomes and wins will be. NamPower believes that through this donation, collectively the nation can propel school sports, especially grassroots sports to the next level, as well as discover more Christine Mbomas and Beatrice Masilingis.

She would like to urge all corporates in Namibia to come on board and dedicate part of their gains towards this cause.

Road to discovering Namibian wine

Of all the things Namibia is known for, wine is not really on the list. It’s time that we introduce locally made wine to Namibians.

Windhoek Wine Club has come up with a campaign called ‘Road to Discovering Namibian Wine’ to introduce Namibians to locally produced wine.

The aim is to give exposure to winegrowers and vineyards in Namibia. A visit to a vineyard is a unique experience that allows wine enthusiasts to combine the discovery of new wines with explorations of a region.

The club focuses on offering trips, organising pop-up stalls and offering wine-tasting events focusing on putting Namibian wine brands on the map.

Namibia has four wineries: Thonningii Wine Cellar is nestled in the Otavi Mountain Valley, Erongo Mountain Winery is situated along the Omaruru River, Neuras Wine & Wildlife Estate is at the foot of the Naukluft mountains and Tsumeb Winery is situated in Tsumeb.

The campaign starts on 2 October with a trip to Thonningi Wine Cellar. All wine connoisseurs are invited to join the journey of getting to know locally produced wines.

Windhoek Wine Club promotes the love of wine by bringing Namibian wine lovers together to savour quality vintages in each other’s company.

Iyaloo Magongo

President of Windhoek Wine Club

Email: whkwineclub@gmail.com

Instagram: windhoek.wine.club