Euro-African Life in Namibia

The Social Security Commission (SSC) of Namibia   took part in the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF) 2013 in northern Namibia and was pleasantly surprised with the response from visitors, both employers and employees. Hundreds of visitors flocked to the SSC stand to either have their cards printed, to find out more about the newly adjusted benefits or simply to participate in competitions to win one of the many exciting prizes up for grabs at the SSC stand. (Photograph: Selma Ndaitwah , customer service officer, SSC Oshakati branch, at the OATF ) As a value add, the SSC held an information session for small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs) at the trade fair. The workshop was attended by more than 67 SME owners in and around the towns of Oshakati, Ongwediva and Ondangwa . Participants were given a brief rundown of SSC operations and it was explained what is expected from business owners, more specifically SMEs as well as what is in it for them, how payments can be ma...

Shopping for food is a task I've never enjoyed. Costly sessions during which a patient, long-suffering therapist searched and scratched about in the psychological dustbin of my psyche, delivered nothing substantive for analysis and possible dissection as origin (trigger) related to a curious reluctance to shop for food. Suffice to say, were these the days of hunter-food gathering , I'd have been a starving scavenger in the savannah underbrush. Shopping for clothing, shoes, accessories, perfume, jewellery, books, technology, cars...no problem. Food? I've got to be 'psyched up' for this one. That aside, early in 2011, I once again found myself standing, as per habit and prescribed by necessity, without an ounce of enthusiasm in the aisles of Maerua SuperSpar in Windhoek, required orange wheeled-trolley in attendance. The Health Nut division had recently opened catering for diabetics, vegetarians, vegans and the treatment of allergens. My curiosity was mildly pique...

Before Miley Cyrus walked out on the stage at this year's MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) , despite a trail of paparazzi images littering tabloids throughout the first half of 2013 and the entire 2012 that 'Hannah Montana is Very Much Dead' , despite glaring evidence that she is desperately seeking to change the 'Hannah' perception, despite a clear indication (haircut, clothing, style) that Miley is in rebellion against a preconception of her and a refusal to allow it, despite ALL of the above, ALL the signs, ALL the clear indications she doesn't want to be typecast or 'boxed' into an idea of who she is, EVERYONE is amazingly shocked at Miley Cyrus' performance at the MTV VMAs. I'm just as shocked at everyone who appears to be shocked. I mean...it was clear as daylight, right? Right there, in front of our eyes, Miley Cyrus was out to kill 'Hannah Montana' first opportunity she got! The problem is, no one was listening and no one paid att...

The Omba Gallery at the Namibia Crafts Centre is currently the venue for an amazing exhibition, BAGS BONANZA . This exceptional exhibition of unique leather and cloth bags made in Namibia will run at the Omba Gallery from 20 August until 8 September 2013, and was officially opened on the evening of Tuesday, 20 August 2013.   Namibia Crafts Centre manager and the dynamic brain behind the exhibition, Shareen Thude , welcomed guests to a unique, first of its kind exhibition and also introduced the new coordinator of Omba Gallery, Ms. Mathilde Stegmann . Guest speaker,  Brigitte Davidow of Nakara Namibia, producer of leather garments, gave an account of the development of bags over the course of time: ‘Purses and handbags originated from early pouches, to carry seeds, religious items and medicine. Men and women both carried pouches. ‘From the ancient beaded bags of African priests to the haute couture tote of the modern lady of leisure, handbags have historic...

The Social Security Commission (SSC) has proudly revealed f ourteen (14) corporate social responsibility projects which will receive a total of N$ 170 000 over to the next few weeks. Rino Muranda, Head Corporate Communications explained that the Commission received several applications for sponsorships and Corporate Social Investment (CSI) and the CSI Committee recommended funding of various projects to the tune of N$171,500 for the second quarter of 2013.  Muranda added: “The SSC’s CSI initiatives are aimed at  benefiting  institutions/individuals/clubs who demonstrate potential in contributing to the attainment of the Commission’s objectives and upliftment of Namibia’s developmental and empowerment goals . Focus is placed on Educational Development, Natural Disasters, Child Welfare/Orphans and Vulnerable Children, Old Age and Disability, Health and Safety, Rehabilitation Projects, Sports Development, Capacity Building for SMEs, Marginalised Communi...

On the 31st of August 2013 , the Hilton Hotel in Windhoek will host the Fall/Winter Taati Sibolile Maison Couture Fashion Show and masquerade ball. Get those fine dresses out, sisters, the diamonds, the tiaras, the metres and metres of taffeta, book for a fancy coiffure, remember the glitzy clutches and be prepared to have a great time! I don't know about you but I absolutely LOVE masquerade balls and of the distinct opinion we don't have enough of them! I just have one condition... masks on for the entire event (fashion show and ball)!   Fearless young designer (YD) Taati Monde Sibolile studied fashion and design at FEDISA, in Cape Town, South Africa, and in her short but remarkable career has already had her couture dresses worn at the United Nations Spring Ball in Vienna, this year. She is also scheduled to participate in and showcase the Taati Sibolile Maison Couture range at the Swahili Fashion Week later this year.  Here are the particulars:  Date: 31 ...

“We are always being urged to save more, and with the recent tax break, where better to save than your home bond?” Thomas Slabbert , Head of Home Loans at FNB Namibia.  Slabbert continued that homeowners are lucky in that they always have the option of saving by using any spare cash to reduce the capital portion of their home loan – and achieving really worthwhile payoffs for doing so. He adds: “By reducing the capital portion of your home loan, you will also reduce the interest you must pay every month and the overall repayment period – in other words, you will invoke the power of compound interest in your favour.”   Slabbert: "You can speed things up even more, and increase your returns , by making lump-sum additional payments into your bond account whenever you get extra money such as an annual or performance bonus, an inheritance or a gift. Some people even use their earnings from a part-time job to pay their bond off faster and save more interest. What is ...

"Surviving on her own in the desert, 12-year-old Jahohora searches for her family while hiding from the German soldiers. It’s 1904, and Germany has claimed all of South West Africa. Since the Herero would rather fight than surrender their ancestral homes, Gen. von Trotha has declared that they all should be forced into the Omaheke to die. Wasting away in the desert, Jahohora is about to give up her desperate struggle for life when she finds hope in a simple act of kindness from a Jewish doctor serving in the German army." "Mama Namibia is based on the compelling, true story of an innocent Herero girl whose life portrays the suffering, perseverance, and resilience of the Herero and Nama people as they faced their most daunting test...a genocide that proved to be the training grounds for the Holocaust."  – Kuaima Riruako, Paramount Chief, Herero Traditional Authority. You are herewith invited to the Mama Namibia book launch.  Come join us and meet the author, ...

The Omba Gallery at the Namibia Crafts Centre is the venue for the BAGS BONANZA exhibition, of leather and cloth handmade in Namibia  bags. I have to add the Omba is the only gallery in Namibia capable of hosting an exhibition of this nature and it's refreshing! If you've never been, it is a large room with a great wooden floor, lovely walls, a low ceiling, fantastic windows but feels like a cool and trendy shop or artist's loft...love it to bits! The BAGS BONANZA exhibition opens next Tuesday, 20 August 2013, at 18:30 . Everyone is welcome and I'm certain you'll be very surprised and pleased with this exhibition. The ONLY people in the world who habitually wear handbags, ALL THE TIME and everywhere , are WOMEN . A practice that's been around for longer than anyone can remember. I mean, imagine going anywhere without a bag...it's impossible. We're experts at bags...it comes with the territory. 'Like' the Namibia Crafts Centre page on...

Director of the LAC (Legal Assistance Centre) of Namibia, Toni Hancox (picture below), directed a strongly-worded letter to Prof. Alaphia Wright , Coordinator: Evaluation Capacity Development, ( UNESCO) , expressing shock at the involvement of UNESCO in co-hosting a workshop with the National Commission on Research, Science and Technology (NCRST),  the purpose of the workshop being a discussion of the draft Science, Technology and Innovation Funding Mechanism, Monitoring and Evaluation System. In addition, Hancox pointed out UNESCO's involvement in co-hosting the workshop shows a clear disregard for its own UNESCO Constitution which seeks to promote 'the unrestricted pursuit of objective truth' and 'the free exchange of ideas and knowledge'. The LAC in Namibia is about to commence  a legal challenge to the law  in connection with Namibia's Research, Science and Technology Act 23 of 2004 and in the letter, Hancox explained the 'current framework appears...

Insight Namibia Magazine: August 2013 Issue  COVER: Advocate Vekuii Reinhard Rukoro , CEO of Meatco NOT A POPULARITY CONTEST 'In the face of crippling drought, the new Meatco CEO must navigate a raft of challenges, including an arduous restructuring.' Namibia's leading current affairs magazine.  Tel: (+264) 61 301 437 SUBSCRIBE: N$ 350.00 annually (print + supplementary magazines + digital edition) E-mail: subscription@insight.com.na  ADVERTISE: 11 x monthly issues, 9 x supplementary magazines (distribution countrywide) E-mail: advertising@insight.com.na  Website: www.insight.com.na  For more information, contact Anya, Salmi, Kasiku or send mail to: info@insight.com.na . 

FNB Namibia is once again one of the main sponsors of the 18 th Polytechnic cultural festival taking place in Windhoek this week. The bank has been part and parcel of the festivities for the past 14 years and this year handed over an amount of N$ 60 000.00. Vicky Muranda , Corporate Communications Manager: “We are proud of the fact that our involvement has gone a long way in contributing towards instilling pride in our different and diverse cultures. I trust that the cultural festival that is assisted  by banks such as FNB Namibia  and themed “Our Roots, Our Pride, Our Culture” will continue to add value in the cultural aspect but will continuously drive innovation in the way the festival is celebrated.”   (Picture) Frieda Shimbuli , Dean of Students at the  Polytechnic; Vicky Muranda , Manager: Corporate Communications at FNB Namibia and Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. Tjama Tjivikua .  Muranda went on to say that the Polytechnic co...

She bakes cookies late at night so that her children will have them in the morning. I was fortunate to have lunch with Advocate Deidre Sauls, President of the Law Society of Namibia, wife, mother of little boys and partner in corporate law firm, Sauls & Co . I emphasise 'fortunate' because she is incredibly busy and her hectic schedule doesn't leave much room for idle chitchat. As I chewed on a leaf of rocket from my garden salad (watching the weight for summer), Advocate Sauls gave a description of her typical day, and I promise you, I was breathless afterwards. She makes time for her clients, her duties as President of the Law Society, her marriage, her firm and her chidren, in a single day, and my head is still reeling how she does it so effortlessly and successfully. Dee Sauls is charmingly approachable, and beneath her bright smile and perfect poise, one senses a woman driven to achieve her goals and doing so with a steely determination.  She is passion...

Samsung Electronics Africa has officially announced its expansion into the healthcare sector with the addition of Samsung Health & Medical Equipment . By expanding its presence in the medical equipment industry, Samsung aims to become a global healthcare leader by bringing together its expertise in electronics and IT technologies for an improved and more complete healthcare experience.   “We bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to Samsung Health & Medical Equipment and we are committed to delivering a better and more complete healthcare experience to medical practitioners and patients,” said   Thierry Boulanger , Director of IT and B2B Solutions at Samsung Electronics Africa. “Our objective, as a world technology leader, is to equip healthcare providers with the tools they require to offer patients the best possible care. Our continued interest and investment in the healthcare sector will assist us in reaching our overall global growth goals and our 2020 v...

Beautiful fashionista, Khanyi Dhlomo, has done it again and she always does everything in style.  On the 24th of July 2013, she opened a high-end store, called 'Luminance' in Hyde Park Corner, Johannesburg, South Africa, and despite the controversy surrounding the funding for her latest venture, the store stocks international brands like Oscar de la Renta, Giorgio Armani and Marc Jacobs , to name but a few. My question is, isn't it time we had a 'Luminance' store in Windhoek , too? Khanyi Dhlomo saw the potential for a posh emporium in her hometown of Johannesburg, and created a solution for a nagging issue...most of us want top, international brands available locally and at the moment, we have to fly out of the country , to Europe or the Americas to purchase our branded goodies. It's genuinely inconvenient, isn't it? I mean imagine the entire schlepp...passport, the flight, the hotels, customs, etc. Here's hoping a birdie will chirp in her e...

FNB Namibia has announced that the KYC (Know Your Customer) process is progressing well at the bank and that customers have heeded the call by the bank to bring in all requested documents that verify and proof customer identity. Yamillah Katjirua , Group Company Secretary and Compliance Officer explains: “ Know your customer (KYC) refers to due diligence activities that financial institutions and other regulated companies must perform to ascertain relevant information from their clients for the purpose of doing business with them. Know your customer policies are becoming increasingly important globally to prevent identity theft , financial fraud, money laundering and terrorist financing ” . FNB Namibia has been requesting customers through a variety of means to get all relevant information from customers. Katjirua : “We have phoned our customers, reminded them via our website, via direct SMS, through media as well as customer interaction in our branches. We are happ...

Petra Naruses,  a single mother of four, is a woman with a practiced hand and a sharp eye for style and composition. Always impeccably dressed, Petra is the brain behind a range of popular earrings, bracelets and neck-adornments , which she makes by hand, using mostly natural Namibian materials, flavoured with her particular take on style. Petra has been in the business for 12 years and by now, her expertise is undisputed. She is thoroughly customer-focused, and when talking to her, you'll find she assesses your earrings, bracelets and neck-adornments with particular interest. Her eyes always stray to what you're wearing because she knows where she wants to take her business, and who'd be interested in what she has to offer. A perfectionist, she takes pride in her intricate handiwork and I have so many items in my jewelry box from her hand, you could say I'm an advertisement for her business. She enjoys using guinea fowl feathers  paired with wooden beads ...

The Social Security Commission (SSC) has proudly announced results for the first four months of its 2013/2014 Financial Year that started in March this year. During this period, the total benefits paid out reached an amount of N$60.17 million compared to N$41.8 million last year for the same period. The total Maternity, Sick leave and Death (MSD) benefits amounted to N$54.5 million while compensation, medical and pensions made up N$5.6 million. Last year during the same time these amounts were N$37.9 million and N$3.8 million respectively. Maternity leave beneficiaries received the biggest amount, about N$41.6 million, while sick leave claims increased by 61% from N$3.5 to N$5.7 million. Death benefits also increased by 26% and retirement by 46% from last year.  Mr Rino Muranda (pictured above), head of corporate communications of the SSC expressed his delight with the year on year growth and said that this was indicative of the growth of the Social Security Commis...

Red , as we all know, is the colour of blood, love, danger and passion . Red is the colour of things we can't and may not ignore. Unless you're colour blind, it is impossible for a human being to ignore anything red in colour. Thanks to evolution, our eyes register this colour FIRST when included in a kaleidoscope. Out and about in Windhoek, I ran into  Lizette  looking fabulous for lunch at  Fresh 'n Wild, Utopia , in Klein Windhoek.  Red lipstick and a beautiful pair of red shoes! Lizette's gorgeous and stylish understated outfit was perfectly complimented by a gorgeous pair of red slingbacks displaying her ankle, sensuously .  I would like to add to this ensemble  'well done!' Great choice. It's not often Namibian leisurewear is presented stylishly, looks properly put-together and with a touch of something different, like red shoes. It's almost like plain mayonnaise spiked with chilli . So, what's so great about  red shoes , I can hea...