Headlines

Communications regulator knows how to party

waldo@economist.com.na (Waldo) — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:33:12 +0100

The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) last weekend celebrated its second birthday with a glamorous ball at Country Club Resort.The event also saw the unveiling of CRAN’s new consumer protection campaign, the National Consumer Advocacy and Protection Campaign which was launched on 6 May 2013 and forms part of CRAN’s internal mandate.In its efforts to ensure that consumers receive the full benefit of competitive electronic communication services and are protected from any exploitation or abuse, the Regulator has implemented a streamlined complaints handling system in accordance with the Act. The Regulator also issued telecommunications and broadcasting service licences and spectrum licences to various service providers. Seen here are the licensees with Lazarus Jacobs, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of CRAN and Stanley Shanapinda, CEO of CRAN. (Photograph by Victoria Ashipala)

State of grazing critical

waldo@economist.com.na (Hilma Hashange) — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:32:43 +0100

A comprehensive inter-agency Emergency Food Security Assessment conducted throughout the country revealed that poor grazing conditions are threatening the entire national livestock herd as drought conditions worsen.
The assessment was read by President Hifikepunye Pohamba who stated that a considerable number of large and small stock have already died as a result of the drought and in most cases, Pohamba said the condition of livestock is already poor. According to the President, there is an urgent need to sell some livestock in order to prevent further losses. He said consideration should also be given for the culling of game by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism to prevent further loss of animals due to drought.
Namibia has been badly affected by drought due to poor rainfall after the first week of December last year. Unlike the floods, the drought situation is affecting the whole country. “My government is concerned about the destructive impact of the drought because by its nature, it is affecting both humans and livestock.

Power cuts coming

waldo@economist.com.na (Nyasha Francis Nyaungwa) — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:32:23 +0100

Power utility, NamPower has warned of the possibility of load shedding this winter after main supplier, Eskom refused to give the country a guarantee for continued supply of electricity.
Managing Director, Paulinus Shilamba said on Tuesday that in the absence of a guaranteed import from Eskom during this winter, it will be challenging for NamPower to keep the lights on. He appealed to electricity consumers to help mitigate the impact of power shortages by reducing electricity usage by a minimum of 10%, especially during peak hours.
He told the Economist that the possibility of load shedding can only be avoided if everyone (NamPower and electricity consumers) plays their part in contributing to a solution. Shilamba said: “It’s not a one-sided approach; we all need to work together as a country to contribute to the solution.”

Namibia and Angola sign MoU

waldo@economist.com.na (Lorato Khobetsi) — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:31:12 +0100

The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Angola’s Ministry of Agriculture to help strengthen the collaborative effects between the two countries to boost the status of animal health and prevent the spread of animal diseases along the common border by vaccinating livestock on both sides of the border.
Speaking at the signing ceremony on Thursday, Agriculture Minister, John Mutorwa said transboundary animal diseases among many other constraints continue to hamstring the socio-economic development and progress of our people, especially so as it concerns their daily livelihoods, poverty eradication and the fight against hunger and disease.
“But the spreading and movement of diseases do neither respect international borders nor do they require official travelling documents or expensive mode of transport. The area bordering Angola which we in Namibia refer to as the Northern Communal Areas is home to over 60% of Namibians. In addition, the area also has over 1,5 billion cattle and 1,2 billion small stock, among other types of livestock. The potential value of these resources are in excess of N$10 billion,” he said.

Mutual turns168

waldo@economist.com.na (Waldo) — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:29:41 +0100

On 17 May, Old Mutual celebrated its 168th birthday. Old Mutual Namibia marked this special day with a focus on the benefits of diversity in celebration for how the organisation is evolving to meet the changing needs of it’s customers.
In preparation for this special day, each business unit within Old Mutual was encouraged to pick one of the local cultures and dress accordingly. Teams also prepared traditional food and shared with their colleagues what they have discovered about national dress, culture and language. An internal competition was held and the Client Services team won and received their prize.
Old Mutual said that this day marks just one day in Old Mutual’s 168 year history but represents yet another important step in their journey to become their customers’ trusted partner.

Confusion surrounds NamPower and ZESA power agreement

waldo@economist.com.na (Nyasha Francis Nyaungwa) — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:27:43 +0100

Confusion surrounds the extension of the controversial power purchase agreement between NamPower and Zimbabwean power utility, ZESA.
NamPower MD, Paulinus Shilamba announced this week that a 2007 power purchase agreement signed between the two power utilities which was coming to an end in October this year, has been extended by another year to the end of 2014.
Shilamba’s announcement come days after the Zimbabwean Energy minister, Elton Mangoma was quoted in a Zimbabwean weekly, the Independent saying the agreement, which was initially scheduled to end last year, will be terminated in October this year and will reduce that country’s power deficit understood to be around 800MW. Mangoma was quoted as saying: “The power purchase agreement is for 150MW so you can see it’s a lot of power which when that contract terminates we will be able to have another 100 to 150MW supplied to the country.

Genetic mapping of key domestic species

waldo@economist.com.na (Waldo) — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:23:58 +0100

Agra Professional Services hosted an interactive discussion this Friday to investigate the need for genetic mapping of the main domestic animal breeds as well as selected species of game with a considerable commercial value.
In a statement released shortly before the panel discussion took place, Agra Professional Services said “many Namibians sustain themselves and their families through the rearing of animals which have commercial value, or through general agricultural activities. Ensuring that the Namibians active in the agricultural sector benefit as much as possible from their hard work; genetic research on cattle, sheep and goats is being carried out.

Mobilising BEE power in tourism

waldo@economist.com.na (Waldo) — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:49:02 +0100

Entrepreneurship is said to be the main driver for economic growth hence the need for promoting and training entrepreneurs especially those engaged in the tourism industry. The owners of a group of SME companies in the tourism sector embarked on a journey to South Africa with the BEE TOURISMXCHANGE programme in April aimed at exchanging ideas with tourism leaders and experts. The programme provided a platform for SMEs to share their valuable insights, experiences and strategies on how to enter the market and grow through innovative products and services.

Houses by the thousands

waldo@economist.com.na (Nyasha Francis Nyaungwa) — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:48:14 +0100

A massive housing development programme, which will see a major facelift of the country’s informal settlements, is in its final stages of preparation.
The housing development programme, understood to be a public/private partnership between the government and institutional investors, including the country’s biggest pension fund, the Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF), will see government involved in the servicing of municipal land, and the construction of low-cost housing in the country’s informal settlements.
A source familiar with the project told the Economist that the programme will likely be modelled along the lines of housing development projects in countries such as Mexico, Malaysia, Venezuela and South Africa where mass housing development programmes are being implemented underpinned by a strong partnership approach between the public and the private sector.