The 2024 Nedbank for Good Series, which concluded last Friday, successfully raised N$250 000 to support Agra ProVision in its efforts to assist underprivileged farmers. The successful completion of the series highlights the effectiveness of collaboration, innovation and community engagement. Since its inception five years ago, the series has united golfers and stakeholders from various backgrounds to advocate initiatives that...
The flip side of a good rainy season
A good rainy season should be perceived as one that starts in time as anticipated, is well distributed throughout the season, and ultimately rehydrates the soil, refills water sources, and revegetates the rangeland. However, recent rainfall activities have been conspicuously erratic, and their effects can be a concern. To this end, although rainfall brings relief to farmers, it is also...
Opinion – Vital information for your pitch, business plan
Having covered how to pitch your business to investors and lenders in our previous column, we will now dive into the financial information that is required to accompany your pitch, specifically to lenders. Lenders will generally require the cash flow budget and the statement of assets and liabilities as part of any loan application. They will use these financial statements...
Young farmer Boois steals hearts at Karibib show …empowering women through farming
KARIBIB – At just 32 years of age, Elaine Boois is stepping up to become one of Namibia’s foremost female farmers after she made headlines at the recent Araf Agricultural Show in Karibib. She stood out as the only female competitor as she boldly took on her more experienced male counterparts in a field that has long been dominated by...
Oil prices extend upward march on Mideast tensions
LONDON – World oil prices rallied more than 2% yesterday as tensions escalated in the crude-rich Middle East one year after the deadly Hamas attacks on Israel. European stock markets mostly rose after more big gains in Asia as China’s stimulus boost, a strengthening US economy and the outlook for interest rates in major economies outweighed geopolitical unrest. Brent North...
US trade chief defends tariff hikes
WASHINGTON – US Trade Representative Katherine Tai defended stiff tariff hikes against countries like China, arguing that paired with investment, they were a “legitimate and constructive” tool for re-invigorating domestic industries. Tai’s comments to AFP come a week after sharp tariff increases on Chinese electric vehicles, EV batteries and solar cells took effect – with levies down the line on...
MTC Maris offers banking to the unbanked
MTC Maris is a mobile phone-based money transfer and payments service. The service was launched last week by Windhoek General Administrator (WGA), the financial technology arm of MTC that operates independently from its parent company. The new service allows users to deposit, withdraw, transfer money and pay for goods with a mobile device. Maris, meaning ‘money’ in Khoekhoegowab, was designed...
Retirement funds unable to cover liabilities
The domestic retirement funds industry is faced with a significant liquidity challenge. This is as recent data reveals a troubling decline in the industry’s ability to meet short-term financial obligations. The industry’s liquidity ratio, which measures the adequacy of contributions to cover expenses and benefits, has dropped from 77% to 67.3% over the past year. The latest figures were released by the Namibia Financial Institutions...
Opinion – Envisioning the future of policing
The landscape of modern policing is in constant flux, shaped by evolving societal demands, technological advancements, and the increasing need for transparency and accountability. As a policing practitioner, it is essential to critically assess current trends and offer a predictive analysis of the future direction of policing organisations. The recruitment process in policing is transforming, reflecting a shift in the...
‘Kunene officials sabotage drought relief efforts’
OTJINUNGUA – While isolated communities in Kunene region struggle to feed themselves due to the worst drought in 100 years, drought relief food is allowed to rot in warehouses. According to the affected communities, this flies in the face of the government’s efforts to mitigate threats of malnutrition and hunger exacerbated by climate change. The affected communities pin the blame...