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Namibia Meteorological Service receives donation of weather stations from MTC

written by Derdy

By Staff Reporter

WINDHOEK, April 20 — The Namibia Meteorological Service Centre received a donation of four Automated Weather Stations and one Automated Rain Station from MTC Namibia on Wednesday 19th April. The stations, valued at N$ 800 000, will serve as Early Warning Weather systems and will be located in the Kunene region in Sesfointein, Fransfontein, and Warmquelle areas.

This donation was made possible through the partnership of the Environmental Investment Fund (EIF), Green Climate Fund, IREMA Project, and the Ministry of Works and Transport, showcasing MTC’s ESG commitment, particularly the socio-environmental sustainability element.

According to MTC’s Executive, Tim Ekandjo, leveraging technology is crucial to mitigate the effects of climate change. As Namibia is prone to natural disasters, such as floods and droughts, technology can accelerate resilience, innovation, and adaptation against recurring and possible climate calamities. The Early Warning Weather stations will be instrumental in helping smallholder farmers in the Kunene region to transition from traditional ways of farming to more innovative and technology-driven solutions.

EIF’s Pauline Mogore emphasized the importance of implementing early warning systems, which alert communities to climate change and empower them to respond effectively. Early warning information serves as a safety net, allowing communities to proactively plan for disasters and save lives.

The Meteorological Services of Namibia will manage the Automated Weather Stations (AWS) donated, which will help address the adaptation needs of smallholder farmers through access to accurate and up-to-date climate information to enhance adaptation responses. The Early Warning System will also alert people of imminent disasters, detect hazards, monitor and forecast risks, incorporate risk information into emergency planning and warnings, disseminate timely and authoritative warnings, and aid community planning and preparedness.

Joyce Mukubi, Acting Executive Director in the Ministry of Works and Transport, expressed gratitude to MTC for the donation and emphasized the importance of meteorological equipment in enabling the Namibia Meteorological Service to provide weather and climate information well in advance to communities for preparation and planning purposes.

– Namibia Daily News

April 20, 2023 0 comment

Education

Cracking the Code: How to Provide Financial Services to Africa’s Gen-Z

written by Derdy

Staff Writer

As the world enters a new era of globalization, Africa is increasingly becoming a hub of economic activity. With a population of over 1.3 billion people, Africa has a massive youth population, with Gen Z being a dominant demographic.

Gen Z is more digitally savvy than any previous generation, with technology being an essential part of their daily lives. Financial services and insurance providers must embrace digital transformation to cater to this market. However, providing financial services and insurance to Africa’s Gen Z requires a strategic approach. Here are some insights on how to achieve success.

Embrace Technology
To cater to Gen Z, financial services and insurance providers must adopt digital technologies that facilitate convenience, speed, and flexibility. This includes having mobile apps, online portals, and chatbots that provide 24/7 access to services.

Offer Affordable and Accessible Financial Services
Gen Z is inclined towards affordable financial services that provide them with a sense of security. Financial services and insurance providers must offer services that are accessible and affordable to this demographic.

Provide Customized Solutions
To meet the needs of Gen Z, financial services and insurance providers must provide customized solutions that address their unique financial needs. This includes providing personalized investment advice, customized insurance policies, and tailored financial planning solutions.

Create a Seamless Customer Experience
Gen Z values convenience and speed. Financial services and insurance providers must provide a seamless customer experience that is both fast and efficient. This includes having a simple and easy-to-use user interface and providing fast processing times.

Engage with Gen Z on social media
Social media is a powerful tool for engaging with Gen Z. Financial services and insurance providers must leverage social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook to engage with their customers. This includes creating informative and engaging content, responding to customer inquiries, and using social media analytics to gain insights into customer preferences.

In conclusion, providing financial services and insurance to Africa’s Gen Z requires a deep understanding of their needs and preferences. Financial services and insurance providers must embrace technology, offer affordable and accessible financial services, provide customized solutions, create a seamless customer experience, and engage with Gen Z on social media. By doing so, providers can tap into this vast and lucrative market and achieve success in the African financial services industry. – Namibia Daily News

April 20, 2023 0 comment

Sports

Namibia’s Capricorn Eagles to Host Quadrangular T20 International Tournament

written by Derdy

By Benjamin Wickham

WINDHOEK, April 20 — Cricket Namibia and Capricorn Group are proud to announce the launch of the Capricorn Eagles Quadrangular T20 International tournament, scheduled from April 24th to May 2nd at the United Cricket Ground in Windhoek. The tournament will feature Hong Kong, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Uganda, and the Namibian national team, affectionately known as the Capricorn Eagles.

As women’s cricket gains popularity, the Capricorn Eagles aim to improve their world ranking and showcase their fearless playing style against big-name cricket nations. Ranked 19th in the T20 International format, the team is looking forward to the opportunity to compete against some of the top teams in the world.

Johan Muller, CEO of Cricket Namibia, emphasized the importance of attracting international female teams to play cricket on Namibian soil. “Through this tournament, we can promote the women’s game and showcase the enormous talent we have,” he said.

The Emirates Cricket Board thanked Cricket Namibia for organizing the event and looked forward to an entertaining and competitive tournament. Mubashshir Usmani, General Secretary of the Emirates Cricket Board, noted the big interest in sports across the UAE and the importance of providing domestic and international exposure to players.

Marlize Horn, Capricorn Group Executive: Brand & Corporate Affairs, expressed the Group’s pride in being associated with Cricket Namibia and women’s cricket in the country. “We see the sponsorship to Cricket Namibia as an investment into the Capricorn Eagles as well as women and girls’ cricket in Namibia,” she said.

Alan Mugume, CEO of the Uganda Cricket Association, also expressed his gratitude to Cricket Namibia for the opportunity to participate in the tournament, adding that the series should help his team prepare for the qualifiers later in the year.

For Mark Farmer, General Manager of Cricket Hong Kong, the Windhoek tournament will be an exciting opportunity for the participating countries to show their mettle. “The Capricorn Eagles Quadrangular is an exciting tournament between four strong teams,” he said. “The opportunity to play highly competitive cricket outside of Asia will provide a fantastic platform for our players to perform and gain invaluable experience.”

Johan Muller expressed his excitement about hosting three of the top teams in the world and thanked Capricorn for their support towards the women’s team and the girl’s program. “The partnership with Capricorn is the reason we can host events like these and also grow the game for female participants across the country. We want to thank the teams participating in the Tournament and believe that they will enjoy Namibian hospitality,” he said.

The Capricorn Eagles Quadrangular will be broadcast on Fancode, and a link will be available on the Cricket Namibia Facebook page to watch on One Africa TV. – Namibia Daily News

April 20, 2023 0 comment

National

Geingob’s Office Denies Allegations of Involvement in Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala Scandal

written by Derdy

By Benjamin Wickham

JOHANNESBURG, April 20 — Namibian President Hage Geingob and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa are scheduled to meet today to discuss bilateral relations between their two countries. While diplomatic, trade, and security matters are expected to be on the agenda, there is speculation that the Phala Phala scandal may also be addressed.

Last year, allegations were made that President Geingob had used his office to assist President Ramaphosa inappropriately. Geingob’s office denied these allegations, as well as suggestions that the Namibian government had assisted in the theft of foreign currency from Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm.

Imanuwela David, the alleged mastermind behind the theft, reportedly fled to Namibia after the incident and was later apprehended by authorities. However, Geingob’s office has denied any involvement in David’s apprehension.

While a preliminary report by acting Public Protector advocate Kholeka Gcaleka has cleared Ramaphosa of any wrongdoing, the issue may still be discussed during today’s meeting.

As the two leaders discuss important matters related to their countries’ relations, it is important that they address any outstanding concerns related to the Phala Phala scandal in a transparent and accountable manner. This will not only ensure that justice is served but also demonstrate a commitment to upholding the rule of law and ethical standards in both nations. – Namibia Daily News

April 20, 2023 0 comment

Community

Indigenous San Communities in Namibia Face Threats to Their Land and Resources

written by Derdy

By Staff Reporter

WINDHOEK, April 20 — Namibia’s Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) Program is a Western-backed initiative that allows rural and Indigenous communities to manage and profit from their natural resources. However, research shows that the benefits from natural resources are mostly felt by unscrupulous traders, cattle herders, and trophy-hunting safari operators, rather than the Indigenous communities, such as the San people.

The Ju/hoansi San people living in the Nyae-Nyae Conservancy and the !Kung San in the N#a Jaqna Conservancy are designated two of Namibia’s six Indigenous populations. Unfortunately, they are facing threats to their traditional subsistence way of life due to the loss of access to land and natural resources.

In the N#a Jaqna Conservancy, the !Kung San people are witnessing their historical lands being overrun by cattle herders from Namibia’s ruling ethnic groups. This encroachment is tacitly sanctioned by central and local government authorities, who are thought to be accepting illegal bribes by non-San settlers in return for grazing rights on San traditional land. This has resulted in the destruction of crop fields and bush fruit, which reduces the !Kung San people’s access to food.

Additionally, non-San settlers have been encroaching on the conservancy land as early as 2002, with the influx intensifying from 2012 onwards. Recent research indicates that there are over 65 illegal settlers in the conservancy as of February 2021. Despite an ongoing lawsuit by the conservancy seeking the removal of the fences, they have not been removed, and many more illegal settlers have arrived since.

In the Nyae-Nyae Conservancy, the Ju/hoansi San people face similar discrepancies over access to land, with the government granting the area one of the highest trophy hunting quotas in the country. While trophy hunting may generate economic benefits for conservancies, local communities have made allegations against trophy hunting operators regarding access to natural resources.

The San people, the oldest inhabitants of southern Africa, are one of Namibia’s six Indigenous populations. Today, they comprise less than 2% of the national population and have faced generations of marginalization and land eviction under South African apartheid rule prior to independence in 1990. The two conservancies mentioned (Nyae Nyae and N#a Jaqna) are two of the last strongholds for Indigenous San communities in southern Africa.

The loss of access to land is particularly devastating to Indigenous communities who rely on natural resources for their self-sufficiency. If this maltreatment continues, it may lead to the annihilation of one of the world’s oldest cultures as we know it. The San people’s health status has declined since independence, and their livelihoods will likely continue to decline unless their land rights are guaranteed.

As policy-level conversations about the future of trophy hunting intensify, it’s important to consider the social dynamics that such policies bring and the perspectives of Indigenous communities on the ground. These conversations must include the voices of the Indigenous San communities, as much is at stake for the survival of their culture and way of life.

– Namibia Daily News

April 20, 2023 0 comment

National

South Africa and Namibia to Strengthen Bonds of Friendship During State Visit

written by Derdy

By Benjamin Wickham

JOHANNESBURG, April 20 — Namibian President Hage Geingob arrived in South Africa on Wednesday for his first state visit since taking office in 2015. Hosted by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Geingob’s visit will focus on strengthening the historic relations between the two countries and exploring new areas of cooperation.

South Africa and Namibia share a close bond, with bilateral relations established under the framework of a Bi-National Commission (BNC) since 2013. The BNC aims to enhance economic cooperation, explore trade and investment, and assess progress made in implementing decisions. Last year, South Africa imported R16.1 billion of goods from Namibia, while South Africa exported R56.5 billion to Namibia.

Geingob’s visit comes amid the Phala Phala scandal, which involves Ramaphosa and Namibian officials. The scandal has cast a shadow on the otherwise positive relations between the two countries. It remains to be seen if the two leaders will address the issue during their discussions.

Geingob’s predecessors, Sam Nujoma and Hifikepunye Lucas Pohamba, also enjoyed close relations with South Africa during their presidencies. Nujoma served 15 years as the country’s founding president after Namibia gained independence from South Africa, while Pohamba served 10 years in office.

Geingob’s visit underscores the importance of strengthening relations between neighbouring countries in Africa. By exploring areas of cooperation and identifying new opportunities for collaboration, South Africa and Namibia can continue to build on their longstanding relationship and foster greater regional stability and prosperity. – Namibia Daily News

April 20, 2023 0 comment

CRIME

How a cunning criminal outsmarted officials and escaped prison

written by Derdy

By Staff Reporter

JOHANNESBURG, April 20 — South African rapist and murderer Thabo Bester’s escape from prison and year-long undetected living with his celebrity girlfriend across borders made headlines around the world. The daring prison break, the celebrity girlfriend, and the escape across borders had all the elements of a fictional thriller. However, this tempting description serves to glamorize and trivialize the heinous crimes Bester committed.

Bester, known locally as the “Facebook rapist” for using the social media site to lure his victims, had pretended to be an agent who was going to help one of the women he attacked to find a job in television. Although he was never convicted of her rape, he was found guilty of raping and robbing two other women in 2011. A year later, he was sentenced to life in prison for the rape and murder of his then-girlfriend, model Nomfundo Thyulu.

Bester was a cunning career criminal, a dangerous and ruthless man, with a charming, charismatic smooth-talking personality that got him what he wanted. Clinical psychologist Dr. Gerard Labuschagne, who interviewed Bester in 2011 while working at the police’s profiling department, said that even then, Bester showed indications of “impression management,” was manipulative, and never fully took responsibility for his crimes, even as he pleaded guilty.

Bester’s escape exposed a stunning level of official incompetence, leaving his victims triggered and traumatized. One of the women he attacked spoke to the BBC on the condition of anonymity, saying that “reading his stories in the news is bringing back a lot of triggering memories” and that her only prayer is “that he stays in jail and doesn’t get a chance to hurt any more people.”

After Bester’s escape, officials at the Mangaung Correction Centre initially reported that he had died in a fire that broke out in his isolation cell, which later turned out to be an elaborate ruse to allow Bester to escape that same night dressed in a warder’s uniform. The existence of a charred body in the cell opened the door to investigations by the police, the prisons watchdog, and the firm in charge of running the prison, British multinational security company G4S, about how this could have happened.

The autopsy report showed that the man in the cell had died from blunt force trauma to the head, not in the fire, indicating that a dead body had been placed in the cell before the fire. It turned out that Bester had conned his way into the isolation cell, located near a fire escape and in an area of the prison where CCTV coverage was not the best. He allegedly greased a few palms, from warders to camera operators, and bought his way out of prison.

With no one really looking for him for nearly a year, Bester appeared to be living it up under a new name in the millionaire Johannesburg suburb of Hyde Park with his celebrity girlfriend, Dr. Nandipha Magudumana. However, investigations by the South African news agency GroundUp led to the first article on the story, complete with photos that included a man who bore a striking resemblance to Bester, out grocery shopping with Dr. Magudumana and her children.

Bester’s escape and year-long undetected living were anything but glamorous for his victims. The story highlights the importance of authorities taking responsibility and being accountable for their failures in keeping dangerous criminals like Bester behind bars. – Namibia Daily News

April 20, 2023 0 comment

CRIME

Rwanda arrests 800 suspects in two-month crackdown on criminality

written by Derdy

KIGALI, April 20 — Rwandan police have arrested 800 people suspected of theft in a countrywide crackdown following a recent wave of criminal activity, said authorities on Wednesday.

The suspects are mainly between 20 and 30 years old and “were apprehended over the past two months in towns across the country, with a majority of them being in the capital city Kigali,” Desire Gumira, the Regional Police Commander of the central region, told reporters.

He said the security operation was prompted by the recent wave of theft in various urban centres in the country as reported by residents.

Gumira appealed to the public to develop a culture of timely reporting suspected individuals to security agencies.

The suspects were found to be regular drinkers of alcohol yet without clear sources of income, according to the police.

Warning against lawlessness, police assured the public that security agencies are mapping crime spots to prevent crimes.

If a person is convicted of theft, they can face imprisonment for a minimum of one year and a maximum of two years, as well as a fine ranging from 1 million Rwandan francs to 2 million Rwandan francs (about 901 U.S. dollars to 1,802 dollars), or community service for six months. (Xinhua)

April 20, 2023 0 comment

Sports

Namibia Pulls Out of Joint Bid with Botswana to Host AFCON 2027

written by Derdy

Staff Writer

WINDHOEK, April 19 — The Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service has announced its decision to terminate its participation in the joint bid with Botswana to host the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027. The decision was communicated in a letter sent to the Botswana government on April 19, 2023.

The letter, signed by the Minister of Sport, Youth and National Service, Agnes Tjongarero, cited the N$4.8 billion budget for the event as the reason for Namibia’s withdrawal. The minister stated that the cost was beyond their budget, and with the looming drought in the country, the government was forced to reprioritize its resources.

Tjongarero assured the Botswana government that Namibia would still honour its outstanding payment for the work completed to date in line with the 40/60 percent agreement towards facilities audit work. She also expressed regret over the decision, stating that the country would have benefitted greatly from hosting such a prestigious event.

Namibia and Botswana had announced their joint bid to host AFCON 2027 in 2021, with both countries expressing their excitement and readiness to host the event. The decision to withdraw from the bid comes as a disappointment to many football fans in both countries who had eagerly anticipated the possibility of hosting the tournament.

AFCON is the biggest football tournament on the African continent, with 24 teams participating in the competition. The tournament is held every two years and has been hosted by various African countries, including Egypt, Ghana, and South Africa.

The decision by Namibia to pull out of the joint bid highlights the financial constraints faced by many African countries when it comes to hosting large-scale events. It also underscores the importance of proper planning and budgeting when considering such bids.

While the disappointment of not hosting AFCON 2027 may linger, Namibia can still take pride in the fact that it considered such a bid in the first place. The country can continue to work towards building its sports infrastructure and positioning itself as a potential host for future sporting events. – Namibia Daily News

April 19, 2023 0 comment

Economics

BoN increases international reserves to N$48.5 billion to cover 5.1 months of imports

written by Derdy

Staff Writer

WINDHOEK, April 19 — The Bank of Namibia (BoN) has increased the repo rate by 25 basis points, taking it from 7.00% to 7.25%, which in turn brings the prime lending rate to 11.00%. According to Johannes !Gawaxab, the Governor of the Bank of Namibia, the decision was taken to contain inflationary pressures, stem their second-round effects, and anchor inflation expectations. The move is also deemed appropriate to safeguard the one-to-one link between the Namibian Dollar and the South African Rand.

Touching on the domestic economy, !Gawaxab stated that annual growth in Namibia’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rose to 4.6% in 2022 from 3.5% in 2021, thanks to stronger growth rates in the primary and tertiary industries, as well as a rebound in the secondary industry. While activity in the construction sector continued to decline, sectors such as mining, manufacturing, transport, communication, and tourism, as well as wholesale and retail trade, saw a steady uptick.

However, !Gawaxab warned that risks to the domestic economic outlook remain and can emanate from weakening global economic activity, tightening of monetary policy globally, and persistent inflation. Internal risks include water supply interruptions, particularly in the coastal towns, and the looming drought.

Inflation has also deteriorated since the last Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, rising to 7.1% during the first three months of 2023 compared to 4.5% during the corresponding period in 2022. The increase was primarily driven by food and transport inflation. Among the Advanced Economies, inflation eased in the United States (US) and Euro area, but it increased in the United Kingdom (UK). Inflation rates in the key monitored Emerging Markets and Developing Economies (EMDEs) moderated most recently, except in South Africa where it increased slightly.

!Gawaxab explained that most monitored central banks continued to increase policy rates at their latest monetary policy meetings, albeit at a slower pace. While the South African Reserve Bank raised its policy rate by 50 basis points in March 2023, compared to 25 basis points at the previous meeting, the central banks of Japan, China, Russia, and Brazil maintained their policy rates.

As of the end of March 2023, the stock of international reserves increased to N$48.5 billion, from N$47.4 billion in February 2023. The governor of the central bank stated that the rise in the level of international reserves was driven by the depreciation of the Namibian Dollar against the US Dollar. At this level, the stock of international reserves is estimated to cover 5.1 months of imports.

In conclusion, the BoN’s move to increase the repo rate by 25 basis points to 7.25% will take the current negative real policy interest rate to a positive rate and is expected to support the domestic economic recovery. The bank will continue to monitor these developments and their potential effects on the domestic economy and act appropriately, in line with its mandate to ensure price stability in the interest of sustainable economic growth and development of the country.

– Namibia Daily News

April 19, 2023 0 comment

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Namibia Meteorological Service receives donation of weather stations from MTC

Cracking the Code: How to Provide Financial Services to Africa’s Gen-Z

Namibia’s Capricorn Eagles to Host Quadrangular T20 International Tournament

Geingob’s Office Denies Allegations of Involvement in Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala Scandal

Indigenous San Communities in Namibia Face Threats to Their Land and Resources

South Africa and Namibia to Strengthen Bonds of Friendship During State Visit

How a cunning criminal outsmarted officials and escaped prison

Rwanda arrests 800 suspects in two-month crackdown on criminality

Namibia Pulls Out of Joint Bid with Botswana to Host AFCON 2027

BoN increases international reserves to N$48.5 billion to cover 5.1 months of imports