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Namibian businesswomen inducted to Namibian Business Hall of Fame

November 25, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Namibian businesswomen inducted to Namibian Business Hall of FameNamibian businesswomen inducted to Namibian Business Hall of Fame Staff Reporter



The Namibia Business Hall of Fame (NBHF) has honoured emerging entrepreneurs this month.

Founder of Poiyah Media, Ilke Platt, was inducted as an emerging entrepreneur last month during the virtual event. She was awarded Africa’s World Woman Leader.

Managing director of Global Entrepreneurship Network and founder of NBHF, Johanna Cloete has been curating this ecosystem of entrepreneurs with criteria based on who has been making or made immense contributions to the Namibian economy during the Covid-19 pandemic. In addition, curation is also based on who has achieved business excellence, upholds the values of entrepreneurship and leadership, reigning as a custodian of our community.

Well-known members of the Namibian community have been inducted as laureates and include the late Werner List, Dr Frans Indongo and First Lady Monica Geingos.

Upon receiving her award, Platt said: “There needs to be more emphasis on emotional and mental support for an entrepreneur. Entrepreneurs often work in isolation, and the side effects, if not managed properly, can be devastating”.

She added that “this can easily result in the closure of business, slowing down of creativity, and a lack of passion. “Entrepreneurs should be guided towards a financially free environment. There's nothing more depressing than worrying about finances and losing your focus on providing a service to fill the gap. With these two aspects and also through more awareness around and mechanisms on how to cope mentally, a lot of entrepreneurs can easily avoid major pitfalls”.

Events like these are a reminder that hard work pays off and that perseverance prevails above all. All winners for 2021 can be viewed on GEN Namibia social media platforms.
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Increasing employability skills

November 25, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Increasing employability skillsIncreasing employability skills Hito HR and Training Consultants aids in student graduation Wetumwene Shikage





Hito HR and Training Consultants is a Namibian consulting firm assisting organisations with human resource (HR) people related solutions.

Managed by Lisa Matomola, Hito is a success. Matomola previously worked as a manager at the people and organisation division at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Namibia for more than five years before establishing Hito.

Services offered by Hito include organisational design, performance management, job description development, review and update, job evaluation or grading as well as training facilitation and other HR solutions. These services became fully functional and available to the public since January 2021.

The company decided to grant students from the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) the opportunity to complete internships prior to their graduation.

“The university requires students to undergo a work-integrated learning programme to complete a certain number of hours before they graduate. It is also an opportunity to breach the gap between students and the industry and prepare them for the workplace and increase their employability skills,” Matomola said.

Matomola said the company also offered its first internship opportunity to a recent graduate in industrial psychology from the University of Namibia (Unam) whose internship programme ran for five months.

Students can apply for the internship programme by contacting the office responsible for placement at NUST as they have staff members responsible for attachments.
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Spotlight on Shark Island

November 25, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Spotlight on Shark IslandSpotlight on Shark Island It was on this fateful day, 2 October 1904, when German imperial genocide general Lothar von Trotha declared genocide against the Ovaherero people, and extended this termination order to the Nama people on 23 April 1905.

This piece focuses mainly on the historical context of Shark Island at Lüderitz, having served as a notorious concentration camp during German colonial occupation, and draws the attention of Namibia’s foreign policy with respect to the ongoing bilateral negotiations with the Federal Republic of Germany.

At a ceremony characterised by pomp and fanfare on 15 February 2021, Shark Island was declared a national heritage site. However, the period from 1904 to 1908 represents a dark chapter in the Namibian history and the fallout echoes loudly in our society today.

It is vital that the future development of Shark Island forms part of the bilateral negotiations in an attempt to put things right in terms of Namibia’s post-colonial development narratives, aided by the German government’s reparations and reconstruction packages.

Shark Island - with its ugly colonial history - saw hundreds of captured Nama and Ovaherero people raped, humiliated and tortured under harsh weather conditions, as well as mass killings.

Other atrocities committed by German fascist imperial soldiers and their henchmen during 1904-08 also included robbing indigenous communities of their land, small livestock, cattle and hard-earned wealth.

With Shark Island declared as a national heritage site, the lingering question is: What’s next, given its dehumanising role under imperial colonial German occupation of Namibia? These tragic episodes can’t be ignored in the ongoing bilateral negotiations between Namibia and Germany, particularly when it comes to this heritage site.

Abandoned cemetery

Presently, Shark Island is managed by Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) as a camping facility. The island has remained largely the same – with little or no visible improvements over the last 30 odd years. When entering the facility, you are greeted by dotted rock outcrops, decorated plques in the image of Adolf Lüderitz and German imperial soldiers who perished in the ‘stupid war’ of slaughter. From the look of things, Shark Island is reminiscent of an abandoned cemetery. To put it bluntly, it looks like a forgotten area.

Sadly, and paradoxically, the names of indigenous fallen heroes and heroines who fought with bravery and resisted legitimately the hell of colonialism are absent to this day.

The absence of images and symbols depicting the anti-colonial resistance and liberation struggles waged by our ancestors is deeply worrying and constitutes a misrepresentation of history.

This unacceptable state of affairs raises eyebrows, meaning that there is a case to be made urgently to put things in proper historical context.

It is therefore logical that the Namibian government restores the dignity of the affected communities. It is absolutely critical at this age and time that Namibia secures viable national development projects that are highly impactful on the long term in terms of socio-economic benefits to the communities, and also to stimulate the Namibian economy-and create new opportunities for subsequent generations to come.

It is for this compelling reason that this piece examines the impact of the combination of culture, history and tourism on Shark Island. It is proposed to construct Namibia’s first ever genocide memorial museum on Shark Island.

Given its history, the island is best placed to house the proposed museum. Put differently, Shark Island could become a sacred site of remembrance.

Genocide memorial museum projects that are professionally managed have proven successful in places such as Bosnia, Cambodia and Rwanda in the post-conflict era. These memorial museums have become popular global destinations on the ‘genocide tourism’ map. That is why it is envisioned to establish a living genocide memorial museum – one that memorialises the victims, teaches the history and lessons of the genocide, and works to prevent future genocides anywhere else in the world.

Memorials and museums form an intrinsic part of state and society in post-conflict societies, and a comparative approach can capture the dynamics of memory politics and help a nation/state building project.

Promoting heritage

Moreover, this article seeks for the establishment of the museum that allows visitors to explore a variety of informative exhibits on genocide history with Namibian characteristics. The proposed Shark Island genocide memorial museum will be perfect to house all human skulls from the genocide, other significant artifacts and antiques that were repatriated from Germany to Namibia in recent years as well as human remains that may be discovered in future.

The proposed museum project further aims to create awareness about Africa’s vast, dynamic and diverse cultural artefacts and the influence Africa has had and continues to have on the various cultures of the world in the area of culture.

This national memorial genocide museum will be a focal point for preserving and promoting African cultural heritage.

Cultural tourism has been one of the largest and fastest growing global tourism markets before the Covid-19 pandemic hit global economies. Without a doubt, this type of museum will be a popular destination again in the post-Covid era.

Culture and creative industries are increasingly being used to promote destinations and enhance their competitiveness and attractiveness. Namibia has so much to offer - this is the most opportune time to act decisively. In the context of ongoing bilateral negotiations, and as a part of reparations package, Germany could be persuaded to contribute significantly towards the realisation of this noble national project. Not only will German and other European tourists be attracted to this museum project, but this will provide increased understanding to local successive generations about the genocidal acts.

Tying in with development

It is further proposed that the museum feature - amongst other things - a gallery, library, exhibition halls, café and gift shop, amphitheatre designed to host large memorial events of historical significance, educational workshops, dramatic performances, cultural and historical events and film screenings, etc.

In other words, the theatre could host a variety of events - from remembrance ceremonies to festivals for humanity. It may also include a children’s gallery with ongoing activities for learning, discovering and having fun. New-generation museums are designed to become exciting to visit for all age groups, and are a key catalyst for new service-based economies as in the case of the West today.

If one looks at the harbour town of Lüderitz, this is an area of strong heritage history and appeal only if its potential is fully realised. Given the current economic difficulties, there is a need to get extra creative and aggressive in marketing new innovative ideas. To complete the tourist experience, a national memorial genocide museum project ties in well with the ongoing state-funded Lüderitz Waterfront development and other local sites of historical significance that are frequented by visitors, particularly those from foreign countries.

Cultural tourism is important for various reasons: It has a positive economic and social impact - it establishes and reinforces identity and helps to build image. Travellers can learn and appreciate the cultures of Namibia. Africa’s diversity is seen in its varied cultures, long-standing customs, striking scenery and wildlife. This captivating mix may attract a steady stream of visitors from around the world.

We owe it to the fallen

Given the urgency, the real work should start immediately to put things right at Shark Island. But how do we proceed in making sure this noble project comes into fruition? As a point of departure, there is urgent need for a well-structured and all- inclusive conversation involving relevant parties around this envisaged project. A project of this magnitude needs a champion who enjoys broad support from the state and non-state actors. In this regard, the Namibian state should assume an activist role in facilitating capital funding from the German government as part of the reparations and reconstruction packages for the full realisation of this noble idea.

However, the national genocide memorial museum should be managed by those in the know for obvious reasons - a dedicated private enterprise will be best placed to run it strictly on business principles, and generate much-needed revenue for its sustainability. The income generated from this enterprise should be invested back into the memorial to support the preservation of archives and to run a variety of educational programmes.

We owe it to all our fallen Namibian heroes and heroines across the board who fought with bravery, resisted colonialism at all costs and ended up paying the ultimate price. Moreover, if this development plan is well executed and marketed properly, the museum could potentially become a major gateway to Namibia’s developmental ambition. Towns and regions that thrive in this age and time are those who will be differentiated by their lively cultural sense of place, protected natural areas and deep pride in local character.

The proposal of establishing the national memorial genocide museum on Shark Island ties in well with the African Union’s much-touted Agenda 2063. It recognises the important role that culture plays in mobilising and unifying people around common ideals and promoting African culture to build the ideals of Pan-Africanism.
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Increasing employability skills

November 25, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Increasing employability skillsIncreasing employability skills Hito HR and Training Consultants aids in student graduation Wetumwene Shikage





Hito HR and Training Consultants is a Namibian consulting firm assisting organisations with human resource (HR) people related solutions.

Managed by Lisa Matomola, Hito is a success. Matomola previously worked as a manager at the people and organisation division at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Namibia for more than five years before establishing Hito.

The company’s name is a Japanese word for people, pronounced “shito”.

Services offered by Hito include organisational design, performance management, job description development, review and update, job evaluation or grading as well as training facilitation and other HR solutions. These services became fully functional and available to the public since January 2021.

The company decided to grant students from the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) the opportunity to complete internships prior to their graduation.

“The university requires students to undergo a work-integrated learning programme to complete a certain number of hours before they graduate. It is also an opportunity to breach the gap between students and the industry and prepare them for the workplace and increase their employability skills,” Matomola said.

As part of the company, there are currently two full-time employees and a student intern, totalling three employees who assist in making the dream work. Matomola said the company also offered its first internship opportunity to a recent graduate in industrial psychology from the University of Namibia (Unam) whose internship programme ran for five months.

Hito has plans to partner with other universities to provide industrial psychology graduates an opportunity to be part of the team.

Students can apply for the internship programme by contacting the office responsible for placement at NUST as they have staff members responsible for attachments. Matomola said the company is relatively small, but in future would like to offer more opportunities to more people who are not only students.
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Namibian businesswomen inducted to Namibian Business Hall of Fame

November 25, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Namibian businesswomen inducted to Namibian Business Hall of FameNamibian businesswomen inducted to Namibian Business Hall of Fame Staff Reporter



The Namibia Business Hall of Fame (NBHF) has honoured emerging entrepreneurs this month.

Founder of Poiyah Media, Ilke Platt, was inducted as an emerging entrepreneur last month during the virtual event. She was awarded Africa’s World Woman Leader.

Managing director of Global Entrepreneurship Network and founder of NBHF, Johanna Cloete has been curating this ecosystem of entrepreneurs with criteria based on who has been making or made immense contributions to the Namibian economy during the Covid-19 pandemic. In addition, curation is also based on who has achieved business excellence, upholds the values of entrepreneurship and leadership, reigning as a custodian of our community.

The Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) Namibia approached this year’s award with the following end goals:

· Increase the number of ordinary citizens in becoming serial entrepreneurs, thus improving the quality of life for them and the community at large.

· Expand understanding and relations between the new and traditional elements, which foster emerging start-up communities and ecosystems; inclusive of entrepreneurial designed public programmes. It takes a village where everyone - including the ‘tucked’ and ‘untucked’ shirts -collaborates to succeed.

· Support the emergence of a new class of global entrepreneurs with access to research, programmes and networks inside the 180-nation strong GEW network. National boundaries are porous to innovation and a new creative class of risk-takers is hard wired to a global network.

· Connect an emerging community of national start-up policy advisors with a next-generation network of world-class entrepreneurial research institutions. By doing so, we can generate more robust research and data to support evidence-based policy-making, and more effective entrepreneurial support programming.

· Allow competition to determine the champion entrepreneurs.

Well-known members of the Namibian community have been inducted as laureates and include the late Werner List, Dr Frans Indongo and First Lady Monica Geingos.

Upon receiving her award, Platt said: “There needs to be more emphasis on emotional and mental support for an entrepreneur. Entrepreneurs often work in isolation, and the side effects, if not managed properly, can be devastating”.

She added that “this can easily result in the closure of business, slowing down of creativity, and a lack of passion. “Entrepreneurs should be guided towards a financially free environment. There's nothing more depressing than worrying about finances and losing your focus on providing a service to fill the gap. With these two aspects and also through more awareness around and mechanisms on how to cope mentally, a lot of entrepreneurs can easily avoid major pitfalls”.

All entrepreneurs inducted into the NBHF are recognised and encouraged to pursue in their various businesses despite many reasons to close their business. Events like these are a reminder that hard work pays off and that perseverance prevails above all. All winners for 2021 can be viewed on GEN Namibia social media platforms.
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One Economy foundation Building resilience, one Namibian at a time

November 25, 2021, 2:00 pm
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One Economy foundation Building resilience, one Namibian at a timeOne Economy foundation Building resilience, one Namibian at a time An evening of glitz and glamour, an environment that enables people to transcend their circumstances by erecting bridges of opportunity. Desiree Gases





The One Economy Foundation had its third and last fundraising gala dinner at Droombos last week. Under the theme ‘celebrating transcendence’, on behalf of First Lady Monica Geingos and President Hage Geingob, who was a guest of honour at the event, the gala was also attended by several dignitaries. It highlighted the importance of cross-sector collaboration, public-private partnerships and silo-busting as critical success factors in tackling social issues and effecting transformative change.

A fun-filled evening, the event was an experience for the books filled with exhilarating entertainment and networking. The One Economy Foundation has changed the trajectory of its beneficiaries’ lives. The foundation was established as a Section 21 non-profit organisation, and its heartbeat is to actively ‘build a bridge’ to inclusivity for as many Namibians as possible.

CEO Sem Uutoni remarked that “through the One Nation Fund, we have been able to provide financial support and mentorship to 46 micro entrepreneurs, providing them not only with funding but also with business tools to empower self-sufficiency”.

Meanwhile Dr Veronica Theron emphasised that “Break Free's sexual gender-based violence [SGBV] pillar strives to transform survivors' lives through psychosocial support services. For a country whose social fabric is under threat owing to the continuous occurrence of violence, this campaign plays a critical role in restoring and safeguarding our community's identity, safety, and unity”.

The foundation exists to facilitate the full social and economic participation of identified communities to break aspects of the poverty cycle by highlighting the root causes, maximising the potential of as many Namibian people and to strengthen those who are already on track to become better.

The event was also attended by two TIP(Talented Individual Programme) beneficiaries Sarafia Ewalistus, a high school learner, and Kain McNab, an ex-convict, who both shared their impact stories.

"It's not just money, you're investing in our future. With your ‘yes’, you have made it possible for us as TIP beneficiaries to build our confidence, resilience and allow us to overcome our socioeconomic challenges,” Ewalistus remarked.

“The importance of a programme such as this is that it reiterates the sentiments that Namibia is cared for, not alone, and that you believe in us. It may seem simple, but with your investment, you are changing Namibia one learner at a time,” she concluded.

McNab epitomises the principles of the One Economy Foundation, which seek to provide enabling opportunities to those who might otherwise not have the opportunity to excel.

Geingos, in a fireside chat, said: “One Economy will outlive us. We value partnerships and investments, and emphasising that it’s about the beneficiaries”. She further highlighted that "when we say we are helping someone; we must do for them what we would do for ourselves. I don’t know what we want to become in Namibia if we do not help each other. Which is why the One Economy Foundations tries to give a fair opportunity.”

She added that what the foundation is trying to do is bring the first and second economies together, because it makes business sense, social sense, and moral sense. She concluded by thanking those who do the real work.
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The beauty that is Dolomite

November 25, 2021, 2:00 pm
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The beauty that is DolomiteThe beauty that is Dolomite Limba Mupetami



WINDHOEK

Private, beautiful, serene. These are but a few of the words to describe Etosha’s exclusive Dolomite Camp. A couple of days ago, I visited the camp – which features 20 chalets built on elevated wooden decks - with my partner. Driving through, we were greeted by a couple of giraffes and zebras, a pleasant sight from the usual views of nothing in Windhoek.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by Van Wyk, a very polite gentleman who told us briefly where he comes from and how we would enjoy the stay.

Our accommodation - just like the rest - had an elevated view of the endless plains of Etosha National Park. It was quite hot that day, so our first visit was to the swimming pool overlooking the plain. It was pure bliss.

The walk to the room after the swim and having a couple of relaxing drinks is quite the workout, though.

It gets very hot in the middle of the day, which can make the walk even more challenging, but if you ask the staff, they have a golf cart that can drop you off at your room.

Set apart

Despite the food being quite average, the view really makes up for it. What sets Dolomite apart is the spectacular sunrise and sunset views.

During the night, I saw bush fires, but that attention shifted away to listening to animals which were roaming freely between the chalets. The camp is unfenced, allowing animals to roam freely. In the morning, there was reassurance that we were safe, both from the fires and the animals.

We took a game drive early in the morning. I don’t think it was the best idea, as it has been raining quite often and the animals had plenty of water and didn’t need to frequent the water holes.

But the experience and knowledge from our guide Van Wyk allowed us to see a couple of wild animals. The only downfall was that the game drive uses the same road that is open to the public. So, you will be very lucky indeed to catch a glimpse of the Big 5.
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TopCheri details new album ‘Dual’

November 25, 2021, 2:00 pm
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TopCheri details new album ‘Dual’TopCheri details new album ‘Dual’Growing her catalogue Namibian award-winning musician TopCheri, real name Monica Pinehas, will digitally release her fourth studio album on Tuesday, 30 November. MICHAEL KAYUNDE







WINDHOEK

TopCheri is ready to bless our ears with her forthcoming album. The 17-track offering features appearances from Kalux, Page (Ethnix), Tate Buti, Nally, Skrypt and more.

Speaking to tjil about the project, TopCheri said ‘Dual’ symbolises tranquillity and fluidity of spirit within one self, adding that the project is a voice from her soul.

She mentioned that it is packed with music that appeals to fans who are into mellow vibes as well as something for her regular dance lovers.

The musician’s previous album titles have been themed around motherhood (‘Fertile’), marriage (‘The Matrinony’), and gratitude (‘Tithe’).

Asked what the new album title signifies, TopCheri explained that ‘Dual is about life lessons - where there is good and evil, where there are two sides to a coin, where there is up and down, where there is peace and war, where there is love and hate and where there is black and white.

Soothing sounds

With regards to production, the bubbly musician shared that this time around, she played with different sounds as she worked with Sam-E Lee Jones, DJ Kboz, Focus, Dl Flow, Chris Wanye, and, of course, her usual suspects Mr Andrew on the Beat and Solani Glo.

“The instruction was simple. I wanted ‘Dual’. A little bit of up-tempo for the TopCheri gang and a little bit of soothing sounds for the matured audience,” she said.

An extra treat packaged as part of the rollout plan is the music video to ‘Lambela’, which will be released along with the album.

“On this video, I will be working with the Plug A Creative (PAC) team, Mepani M, Spectrum Media Group, Kati Cotton Eater and many more.

“Physical copies will be available the week of 6 December. To pre-order, call 081 335 9152 or 085 335 9152, or slide in my DMs,” she said.
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COMPANY NEWS IN BRIEF

November 25, 2021, 2:00 pm
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COMPANY NEWS IN BRIEFCOMPANY NEWS IN BRIEF Tencent to get approval for new apps

Gaming and messaging giant Tencent has been told all its new apps and updates must be approved by the government, state media reported, as Beijing continues its domestic tech sector crackdown.

The Chinese government has moved to exert more authority over the industry in the past year, citing concerns that tech giants in the country have become too big and powerful.

This latest move against embattled Tencent comes after nine of the group's apps were found to have committed "violations" since the beginning of the year, prompting the need for "transitional administrative guidance measures", state media CCTV quoted the government as saying.

The company must submit any new apps or updates for inspection by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology before they can be uploaded or updated.

"After passing inspection, they can then be launched to users as usual," the ministry said, according to CCTV in a report Wednesday.

"We are continuously working to enhance user protection features within our apps, and also have regular co-operation with relevant government agencies to ensure regulatory compliance. Our apps remain functional and available for download," it said. -Nampa/AFP

Citigroup to split operations

Citigroup Inc is planning to split the operations and technology functions of its unit, Institutional Clients Group, which contributed about 63% of the Wall Street bank's total third-quarter revenue.

The reorganization plan for the unit that houses banking, markets, securities services among others was shared by the bank in an internal memo by unit Chief Executive Paco Ybarra on Wednesday. A Citi spokesperson confirmed the content in the memo when contacted by Reuters.

The operations and technology teams "will continue to work closely with our businesses to develop innovative solutions that make it simpler for our clients to work with us," Ybarra said in the memo.

Stuart Riley, who currently heads the operations and technology units at ICG, will now only manage the technology team.

Allison Szmulewicz, who was leading the unit's Latin American operations and technology functions, will now serve as the interim operations chief. -Nampa/Reuters

Kaisa seeks to extend bond maturity

China's Kaisa Group Holdings Ltd said on Thursday it wants to extend the maturity of a US$400 million bond by a year and a half - part of the property developer's efforts to avoid a messy default and resolve a liquidity crisis.

In a filing, Kaisa said it would exchange its 6.5% offshore bonds due Dec. 7 for new notes due June 6, 2023, at the same interest rate if at least 95% of holders accept.

Kaisa, which has the most offshore debt among Chinese developers after China Evergrande Group, missed coupon payments totalling $88.4 million due on Nov. 11 and 12. The payments have a 30-day grace period.

Shares in Kaisa, which resumed trading after suspension on Nov. 5, were up 19% in late-morning trade with investors cheered by the firm's attempt to solve payment problems. Kaisa said a sharp downturn in the financing environment has limited its funding sources to meet upcoming maturities.

"If the exchange offer and consent solicitation are not successfully consummated, we may not be able to repay the existing notes upon maturity on Dec. 7, and we may consider alternative debt restructuring exercise," it said in the filing. -Nampa/Reuters

Dyson dumps Malaysian supplier

High-tech home appliance maker Dyson Ltd told Reuters it had cut ties with supplier ATA IMS Bhd following an audit of the Malaysian company's labour practices and allegations by a whistle-blower, sending ATA shares plunging.

ATA, which is already being investigated by the United States over forced labour allegations, confirmed Dyson has terminated its contracts and that it has been in talks with its customer over the audit findings.

Shares in ATA, which makes parts for Dyson's vacuum cleaners and air purifiers, tumbled 30% to their lowest since April 2020 after the Reuters report. According to ATA, Dyson accounts for almost 80% of its revenue.

The termination is also a significant blow for Malaysia, a major electronics manufacturing hub that has faced scrutiny this year over claims migrant workers are being subjected to abusive working and living conditions.

Dyson, privately owned by British billionaire James Dyson, said it received the results of an audit of working conditions at ATA in early October. It said it had learned in September about allegations from a whistle-blower at an ATA factory and had commissioned a law firm to investigate those claims. -Nampa/Reuters

Ministry to take action against Mizuho

Japan's finance ministry is set to take punitive action against the banking arm of Mizuho Financial Group over a lack of compliance with the country's foreign exchange law, the Nikkei business daily reported late on Wednesday.

During the incident that took place on Sept. 30, Japan's third-largest lender failed to comply with anti-money laundering procedures necessary under the foreign exchange act in transacting overseas remittances, the Nikkei said.

While checks found no evidence of illegal money remittances, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) decided on the corrective action as Mizuho is one of Japan's largest banks, with a responsibility for payment systems, the Nikkei said.

A Mizuho spokesperson and a finance ministry official in charge of the foreign exchange law both declined to comment when contacted by Reuters.

The finance ministry in August announced a three-year action plan that included tighter supervision of financial institutions in response to a report by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a global financial crimes watchdog. -Nampa/Reuters
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Manica Group Namibia remains industry leader

November 25, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Manica Group Namibia remains industry leader Manica Group Namibia remains industry leader Professional freight and marine services worldwide Manica Group Namibia has, through quality service and a hunger to be the best, established itself as a leader of the industry. PULL QUOTE: Trudi van Rooyen, Manica Group Namibia: “Think of how a can of beans end up in a shop, or how those big yellow mining trucks get from Germany to a mine in Namibia. That’s logistics.” Iréne-Mari van der Walt







Freight logistics and marine services provider Manica has a long history stretching back to the early pioneering years of cargo shipping when Theodore Woker and his partner Maertins founded a shipping and forwarding agency called Maertins & Woker. In the decades that followed, Manica underwent a myriad of name changes as the two partners acquired stakes in other companies and the business grew. Eventually in 1995, more than 70 years after it was founded, the company would come to be known under the name Manica Group Namibia.

Today, Manica is well-established in the marine services, materials handling and logistics industry. At the core of their work is the movement of goods from where they are to where they need to be.

“Think of how a can of beans end up in a shop, or how those big yellow mining trucks get from Germany to a mine in Namibia. That’s logistics,” said Trudi van Rooyen.

However, Manica is much more than simply moving beans. The group offers a wide range of marine, freight and logistics services for all types of vessels and freight cargo to any destination worldwide. In order to keep their promise of cutting-edge, professional service, Manica utilises a well-established international network of logistics partners to ensure all local and international freight reaches its destination on time.

Manica specialises in the full scope of logistics including clearing and forwarding, ships’ agency, cargo-handling, warehousing, intermodal transport, cross border and project freight, airport ground-handling, shipping, industrial lubricants, bunkering, stevedoring, launch services and shore-based logistics support for the oil and gas industry.

The group’s portfolio stretches even longer than its services list, boasting experience in providing critical logistics services to sectors such as mining, retail, infrastructure development, energy, fishing, construction, manufacturing, agriculture, marine, pharma and hospitality, to name but a few.

As part of its driving aims to strengthen the Walvis Bay Port as the leading logistics hub in Africa, Manica invested in two state-of-the-art mobile ship-to-quay bagging plants. On their maiden deployment, the bagging plants handled a record-breaking 20 000 tonnes of sulphur from the vessel’s ship-hold to quay to storage in six days.

Manica believes in being a solution-seeking and results driven group of companies with a strong commitment to creating lasting relationships, ensuring excellent customer service, the development of the local logistics industry and the promotion of the ports of Walvis Bay and Lüderitz.

The secret to its success may lie in its agility, flexibility to adapt to changes in the market, its people and the passion they have for logistics.
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Rundu man who died at clinic had Covid

November 25, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Rundu man who died at clinic had CovidRundu man who died at clinic had Covid Kenya Kambowe



RUNDU

The 32-year-old man who took his last breath under a mango tree outside the Sauyemwa clinic last Thursday - after nurses allegedly refused to attend to him because he did not have a medical passport - had contracted Covid-19. This after he had received one jab of the Sinopharm vaccine.

This is according to test results the late Mario Mingandja’s family showed Namibian Sun on Wednesday.

Mingandja only received one dose of Sinopharm on 11 May.

The Covid-19 test was conducted last Friday, a day after he died.

However, his cause of death has yet to be determined as a post-mortem has not been conducted.

While the family has placed blame squarely on the health professionals who allegedly refused to help the deceased on the fateful day, they are also calling on the health ministry to conduct the post-mortem as information has surfaced that the victim was assaulted four days before he died.

According to the family, they want justice to be served, saying they will leave no stone unturned to get to the bottom of what killed their loved one.

They are adamant that the deceased died of injuries he sustained after being assaulted, which they suspect led to him dying of internal bleeding.

Justice for Mario

“All we want is justice for Mario. We are now confused about what to believe because we don’t buy the story of him having Covid-19 because he showed no symptoms. Secondly, he was vaccinated, therefore it should not have taken his life so easily,” a family member said.

They also said they have since approached the people who assaulted the deceased; however, they denied the altercation.

“We approached the owner of the house where they dragged my brother into and assaulted him. That person told us that he did not assault him and that the post-mortem might vindicate him,” Mingandja’s sister said.

The family added that the police told them that witnesses to the assault should give statements which could assist law enforcers to compel the ministry to conduct a post-mortem.

When contacted for comment, Kavango East health director Timea Ngwira said a post-mortem can and will be conducted.

On the deceased’s death certificate, the cause of death has been left blank.

Meanwhile, his family said despite the issues surrounding the death, the nurse who allegedly refused to assist Mingandja should be dealt with by the ministry.

kenya@namibiansun.com
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Pensioner one of 8 killed by wildlife this year

November 25, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Pensioner one of 8 killed by wildlife this yearPensioner one of 8 killed by wildlife this year ELLANIE SMIT



WINDHOEK

A pensioner from the Zambezi Region has become the latest person to be killed in human-wildlife conflicts in the country, with the total for 2021 now standing at eight dead.

A 72-year-old man was killed by an elephant in the Bwabwata National Park on Wednesday morning.

According to environment ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda, Matala Mafuta was attacked by the elephant at about 09:30 close to the Omega 3 village in the park in an area that is zoned as a ‘managed resource use zone’.

He said preliminary investigations indicate that the “unfortunate” incident happened about 800m south of Omega 3 while Mafuta was on his way to his crop field.

“It appears that the deceased was unaware of the presence of the elephant in the vicinity as it charged from close range, leaving him with no chance to escape.”

Too late

According to Muyunda, community members heard the deceased screaming during the attack and rushed to the scene, but it was too late.

He added that ministry staff members tracked the animal, but it joined a bigger herd, making it difficult to continue tracking the elephant.

Staff members will assist the bereaved family, particularly in claiming N$100 000 for the life lost, as provided in the Human-Wildlife Conflict Management Policy.

“The ministry wishes to express its regrets and heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, friends, community and mourners of the late Matala Mafuta.”

Tragic

Seven other people have lost their lives this year to wild animals - four to crocodiles, two to elephants and two to hippos.

“This is not a desirable situation for the ministry and, accordingly, we would like to urge our people - particularly those who live around conservation areas - to be extra cautious at all times,” the spokesperson said.

In the 2020/2021 financial year, 10 people were killed by wild animals and 42 injured. This compared to seven killed and 37 injured the previous year.

Statistics provided by the environment ministry indicated that 1 486 human-wildlife conflict cases were reported during the 2020/2021 financial year, while 1 284 cases were investigated.

ellanie@namibiansun.com
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Lifers make bid for early parole

November 25, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Lifers make bid for early paroleLifers make bid for early parolePrisoners ‘losing hope’ after 20+ years behind bars In 2018, a Supreme Court judgement ruled ultra-long prison sentences unconstitutional, and noted that lifers become eligible for parole after 25 years behind bars. JANA-MARI SMITH







WINDHOEK

Five men sentenced to ultra-long imprisonments are battling to be released on parole after serving more than half of their jail terms.

Immanuel Shikunga, who has served 26 years behind bars for a life sentence handed down in May 1995, lodged an application this month against prison authorities for their failure to release him on parole after having met all necessary requirements.

He said after more than 20 years in prison, he has qualified to be considered for release on parole, but his continued imprisonment has left him “with no hope of ever being released from incarceration”.

“I am now of a view that the respondents, irrespective of my good conduct within the correctional facility, now want to subjugate me to permanent incarceration with no hope of ever emerging from prison,” Shikunga’s court papers state.

He also said that he is “long overdue for release” and that - as part of his rehabilitation process - he should be placed in a “positive position” where he will be “open and exposed to the opportunities that may result in rebuilding a better life after 26 years in prison”.

Shikunga was convicted of the 1993 murder of former Omaruru mayor and veterinarian Ian Scheepers. Scheepers died after Shikunga, a former employee, stabbed him 23 times with a knife, while an accomplice held Scheepers down.

I want out

Another lifer making a bid for parole is Laurentius Koopman, who was sentenced 21 years ago for a 1998 murder and robbery.

This is not his first bid for early release. In 2012, he joined several others applying to the High Court for clarity on which policies govern the period after which lifers should be considered for parole. The application was later withdrawn.

He again made a bid for release in 2013, but his application was dismissed. The lifers argued that as per prison regulations and policies, they were due to be considered for parole after serving 10 years.

Koopman’s latest application claims he was authorised to be released on parole in October 2020, but was rearrested in February 2021 due to a decision that he was released erroneously. He has argued that his re-arrest was unjustified.

Blind eye

Brothers Mckenzie and Wynand Adams, who have spent 23 years in prison for a 1998 murder and robbery conviction, also filed an application this month accusing prison authorities and the safety and security ministry of the “undue delay and/or negligent and/or deliberate protraction in the release of applicants from incarceration”.

They argued that they were due for parole consideration 10 years into their sentence, and that after more than 20 years behind bars, it is clear that the Namibian Correctional Service “has turned a blind eye on the issue”.

The fourth application filed this month was by Wilfried Hijambura Siririka, who has accused relevant authorities of failing to consider him for parole after serving 13 years of a 20-year prison sentence, and of meting out “undue punishments” while he was behind bars.

Siririka was one of three men charged with the armed robbery of an 84-year-old Gobabis man in 2005, whom they robbed of several firearms, a Rolex watch and various currencies amounting to more than half a million Namibian dollars.

In 2018, a Supreme Court judgement ruled ultra-long prison sentences unconstitutional, and noted that lifers become eligible for parole release after 25 years behind bars.
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SA delays deliveries as vaccinations slow

November 25, 2021, 2:00 pm
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SA delays deliveries as vaccinations slowSA delays deliveries as vaccinations slowExcess stock About 35% of South Africans are fully vaccinated, higher than in most other African nations, but half the government's year-end target. Most of the vaccines bound for South Africa would now go to the rest of the continent. Stavros Nicolaou, Chief executive: Aspen Pharmacare PROMIT MUKHERJEE

South Africa has asked Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer to delay delivery of Covid-19 vaccines because it now has too much stock, health ministry officials said, as vaccine hesitancy slows an inoculation campaign.

About 35% of South Africans are fully vaccinated, higher than in most other African nations, but half the government's year-end target. It has averaged 106 000 doses a day in the past 15 days in a nation of 60 million people.

Earlier this year the programme was slowed by insufficient doses. Now deliveries have been delayed due to oversupply, making the country an outlier in the continent where most are still starved of vaccines.

Nicholas Crisp, deputy director-general of the Health Department, told Reuters that South Africa had 16.8 million doses in stock and said deliveries had been deferred.

"We have 158 days' stock in the country at current use," a spokesman for the Health Ministry said. "We have deferred some deliveries." They did not say when deliveries would now take place.

Stavros Nicolaou, chief executive of Aspen Pharmacare, which is packaging 25 million doses a month of J&J vaccines in South Africa, said most of the vaccines bound for South Africa would now go to the rest of the continent.

Nicolaou, who is also chairman of public health at business lobby Business for South Africa (B4SA), said deliveries would likely be deferred until the first quarter of next year.

Vaccines packaged at Aspen's plant are part of the African Union's agreement to buy 220 million doses from J&J. The AU and J&J did not respond to an email seeking comment.

A Pfizer spokesperson said: "We remain adaptable to individual country's vaccine requirements whilst continuing to meet our quarterly commitments as per the South Africa supply agreement." South Africa's government has been seeking to boost the rate of daily administered doses.

"There is a fair amount of apathy and hesitancy," said Shabir Madhi, who led the clinical study for the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine in South Africa.

To ramp up vaccinations, the government has launched pop-up vaccination centres and sought help from community leaders. It has also opened inoculations to children aged 12 to 17.-Nampa/Reuters
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Paratus welcomes back co-founder

November 25, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Paratus welcomes back co-founderParatus welcomes back co-founder Staff reporter



Pan African quality network provider Paratus has appointed Miles October as its group marketing executive.

October was one of the co-founders and shareholders of the first Paratus operation in Angola, known as Internet Technologies Angola (ITA).

He left the group in 2015 and established Play Sport4Life NPC to pursue his passion for sport and community development. A true entrepreneur at heart, October is returning to the team at Paratus as the company embarks on a fast-track expansion across the continent to maintain its goal of being Africa’s quality network.

“While I will remain passionate about sports sponsorship and social development, the opportunity to re-enter the telecommunications industry at this exciting time is something I could not pass by,” he explained.

“I bring not only my previous experience but also a new set of dynamics in interpreting how technology can enable and empower people and businesses to actively help unlock their potential. Together with my colleagues at Paratus, we are excited to make this happen.”

About October

South African-born October graduated from the University of the Western Cape in South Africa and later, in 2013, he attained an MBA in sports management from the Universidad Europea de Madrid in Spain. He gained his first IT and telecoms experience at UUNET in South Africa. In 2003 and 2004, Rolf Mendelsohn, Barney Harmse and October moved to Angola and built the company from a start-up into what is now - a major network service provider in six southern African countries.

“I am passionate about people and connectivity,” he said. “It’s the very essence of all modern-day living and communication. Paratus is thinking big and taking quality network solutions to a new level in Africa. I feel like I’ve come home, and I really look forward to further developing the Paratus brand, reputation and social involvement.”

Paratus Group CEO Harmse believes the timing is perfect for this appointment.

“Miles will be a true custodian of the Paratus brand and now that we are busy expanding so fast across Africa, he will be a valuable contributor to our future success while understanding fully where we have come from and our values. He is a key member of the team that will be responsible for taking Paratus to the next level. We missed Miles over the years, but he was never far away. We are glad to have him back on board.”

October and his partner, Bernadette, live in Cape Town with their son, Miles Jnr. He travels extensively to all offices within the Paratus network.
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Perestrelo believes in career growth

November 25, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Perestrelo believes in career growth Perestrelo believes in career growth Walter Perestrelo is the Pupkewitz Auto 1 branch manager PULL QUOTE: “Be passionate about life and what you do.” Wetumwene Shikage





Prior to working at Pupkewitz Motor Division (PMD), Walter Perestrelo worked in various industries, ranging from telecommunications to hospitality, with over 15 years of management experience.

He is the current branch manager of Pupkewitz Auto 1. Pupkewitz Auto 1 sells diverse quality used vehicles of different brands. He ensures that the right vehicle stock is available to meet customer demands and sells vehicles while guaranteeing optimum customer satisfaction.

Perestrelo was born in the Northern parts of Namibia, in Oshikuku. He matriculated at Centaurus High School and graduated from the University of Namibia with a bachelor degree in computing and economics.

Key aspects

He said a positive culture is key to grow and develop in a company and PMD offers exactly this. “The potential to grow within the company is also a key aspect in making the decision to work for a company,” he said.

He added that having the courage to proactively meet challenges encountered over the past few years makes the stakes higher. “On a personal level and from the business perspective, we have made it thus far and continue marshalling on,” he said.

He said business and life in general boil down to results, and although this shouldn’t be the only metric to look at, he still thinks performance is critical and is a must to succeed.

As part of his future plans, Perestrelo would like to see himself ultimately grow within the group. This led to the advice he gives to the youth to “be passionate about life and what you do”.

When he is not caught up with work, he enjoys a round of golf, and plays soccer on Sundays.
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More than 20 years at Gondwana Collection

November 25, 2021, 2:00 pm
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More than 20 years at Gondwana CollectionMore than 20 years at Gondwana Collection Empowering the newer generation Since starting as a casual worker at the Gondwana Collection more than 20 years ago, Andreas Simon hopes to empower those who came after him. PULL QUOTE: Andreas Simon, Gondwana Collection Namibia: “You can only be successful if you make others successful”. Iréne-Mari van der Walt



In 1998, Gondwana Collection Namibia welcomed Simon Andreas to their family. Initially, he worked as a casual worker on a building site and now, 23 years later, he is the man in charge of Gondwana Collection’s Kaokoland Collection, which includes the Damara Mopane Lodge, Palmwag Lodge and Camp and Omarunga Epupa-Falls Camp.

Andreas said some of his fondest memories carry the same spirit of travel and wonder as the Gondwana Collection itself.

“Gondwana made it possible for me to go to Germany and we were about 25 colleagues who went on a trip from the south up to Zambezi,” he recalled.

Andreas believes that despite the changing times and the ancient history left behind in the years passed, the Gondwana Collection he loves today is the same Gondwana Collection he came to love more than 20 years ago.

“There is not a big difference. We are still that family that we were 20 years ago,” he said.

He added that the spirit of self-expansion and the opportunities granted to him by the Gondwana Collection have kept his heart in the business.

“I grew in the company since I started and I make the best of very opportunity that came my way.”

However, Andreas is adamant that he is not ready to settle in his life as it is now as he hopes that his years of experience will serve as a beacon of hope and a crutch for the new youth at the Gondwana Collection to lean on. His biggest hope for the future is to empower the young minds and souls at the company.

“I would like to share my knowledge with the junior colleagues and make them grow. You can only be successful if you make others successful,” he said.
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EDITORIAL: Lessons from south of the Orange

November 25, 2021, 2:00 pm
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EDITORIAL: Lessons from south of the OrangeEDITORIAL: Lessons from south of the Orange The legitimacy conferred upon southern African liberation movements by their war and freedom credentials is no longer sticking.

Entitlement, punctuated by complacency in service delivery, became common place in many of such movements. Internal infighting, to ensure longevity in power and unfettered access to national resources, are tenser in former liberation movements compared to their non-liberation rivals.

In Namibia, the first writing on the wall came in 2019. And those who thought this was a flash in the pan were reminded again in 2020 when the ruling party lost the economic hubs of the country, including the capital city, to the opposition.

In South Africa, the ANC was soundly pummelled in recent local authority elections. Once a glorious movement, the party has lost that country’s commercial capital, Johannesburg.

The seat of government, the capital city Pretoria, is gone too, just as the country’s second biggest economic hub, Durban. Richards Bay, the second busiest harbour in that country, is also gone.

Ekhuruleni, the country’s manufacturing hub, is in opposition hands now. The less said about Cape Town, the third biggest economic hub and a forte of the main opposition, the Democratic Alliance, the better.

These changes do not just happen because a god somewhere in the sky commanded so. These are results of frustration and loss of hope in the former revered movements. Unless they re-invest themselves into people-centred formations, they will perish one by one in no time.
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IEA urges OPEC to lower oil prices

November 25, 2021, 2:00 pm
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IEA urges OPEC to lower oil pricesIEA urges OPEC to lower oil pricesA major burden to consumers Natural gas prices in Europe have surged this year and Russia, the region's major supplier, has been slow to step up deliveries. The rise in oil prices is placing a burden on consumers in these countries and also in several emerging countries. Fatih Birol, Head: IEA The head of the International Energy Agency (IEA) on Wednesday called on OPEC and its allies to take measures to help bring oil prices down to "reasonable levels".

"I very much hope to see in the next meeting or meetings they make the necessary steps in order to comfort the global oil markets and help bring the prices down at reasonable levels," Fatih Birol told reporters.

The head of the IEA, which unites oil consuming nations, also took aim at Russia over gas.

"Russia can easily increase exports to Europe about 15% and significantly comfort the European gas markets," said Birol.

Natural gas prices in Europe have surged this year and Russia, the region's major supplier, has been slow to step up deliveries.

OPEC nations and their allies, including Russia, agreed in July to slowly increase their oil output each month towards pre-pandemic levels as the world economy recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic.

They have declined to move faster despite a jump in prices to over $80 per barrel, a level that many analysts worry could undermine the global economic recovery. They are due to review their strategy at a meeting in December.

The United States and a handful of other oil consuming nations announced on Tuesday releases of supplies from their strategic petroleum reserves.

The move is aimed at blunting soaring prices at the pump that are biting into consumers' pocketbooks and pushing up transportation costs.

Burden

"The rise in oil prices is placing a burden on consumers in these countries and also in several emerging countries," Birol said.

"It also puts additional pressure on inflation in a period where economic recovery remains uneven and still faces a number of risks," he added.

Inflation is pushing central banks towards raising interest rates, a move which would slow the global economic recovery as well as dent oil demand.

Global crude prices rose following the announcement of the releases from strategic reserves as the move was less ambitious than anticipated.

Birol added the releases were not a collective response by IEA members, which he said have happened only three times due to major supply shocks like the 1991 Gulf War, Hurricane Katrina and the Libyan civil war.

Analyst Phil Flynn with Price Futures Group told AFP he believes the IEA was trying to provide political cover for the US administration by putting the blame on OPEC and its allies.

He added that "it's hypocritical of the IAE to the point finger at OPEC when their own agency was suggesting to cut back on fossil fuel" use in order to meet climate targets. -Nampa/Reuters
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Eat, drink, travel and be merry

November 25, 2021, 2:00 pm
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Eat, drink, travel and be merryEat, drink, travel and be merry Staff reporter



Even in this struggling economy with global supply chain constraints, retailers are expecting strong sales from Black Friday specials and this has extended far beyond electronics, gifts and clothing.

Grocery and liquor retailers are also banking on high sales on fresh and non-perishable products, as families prep for the festive season.

Everything from fruit to fermented barley is being discounted to offer consumers some budgetary respite as we enter the season of seven-coloured dinner plates.

Food grocers will be having incredible combo deals catering for whatever your tastes, be it stir-fry, potjie, salad or household essentials like spuds, onions, carrots and cabbage.

Fresh seasonal fruit will keep you healthy and your taste buds tickled, with specials on proudly Nambian dates, watermelons, blueberries, grapes, melons and so much more.

Many retailers are also promoting their ranges of snacks, chips and soft drinks, some of which have amazing combo deals, so do make a point of popping into your nearest shop to get stocked up.

Don’t make a mis-steak

You can even get your hands on some premium steak and mince, before picking up the obligatory pork knuckles, smoked ribs, gammon, A-grade beef, lamb and pickled beef tongue if you’re feeling flush.

Here’s to beer

While we can expect many specials on beers, ciders, wine and hard tack over the next few weeks, what would a Black Friday be without a relaxing sundowner after a hard day’s shopping? As everyone knows, major retailers are vying give you more bang for your buck.

Pop by their outlets to experience crazy deals on a wide variety of tipples, soft drinks and bar accessories. This will have you ready for fun yet responsible festivities with your loved ones, especially if you’re going to take advantage of all fantastic Black Friday deals tour operators and establishments will be running today.

Happy Black Friday, safe shopping!
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