Gendev board summoned to urgent Swapo meeting at State House
via The Namibian3 min read
The Gendev Fishing Group board of directors has been summoned to an urgent meeting by Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa at State House. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is also expected to attend the meeting, which is scheduled for Tuesday. The invitation, dated May 7, was addressed to the company鈥檚 board chairperson, Pau Iilongo, and includes the entire board and finance executive. This meeting follows a series of labor disputes, financial difficulties, and increased scrutiny of the fishing company, which is linked to Swapo through its commercial arm, Guinas Investments. Earlier reports by The Namibian indicated that Gendev employees accused the company of defrauding approximately 550 workers of N$17.3 million in salaries and pension contributions over nine months. Workers had previously written to Shaningwa requesting intervention after mediation efforts by the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations failed to resolve the dispute. Additionally, about 80 to 90 employees were allegedly sent home without pay. Those invited to the meeting include directors Paulina Haindongo, Leonie Edwards, Robert Shimwooshili, Sandro de Goveia, Josef Andreas, George Pieters, Josef Katukula, Gideon Hamukwaya, and Nico Kaiyamo, along with finance executive Ruby Rees.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
Brazil's ambassador to Namibia, Pedro Menezes, announced a N$1.9 million contribution to the World Food Programme in Windhoek, aiming to help Namibia achieve food security. Menezes stated that Brazil, having overcome widespread hunger in under 30 years, believes Namibia can do the same by building stronger food systems and supporting small-scale farmers. Brazil's strategy focuses on fostering self-reliance rather than dependence on food aid, shifting its support from humanitarian assistance to strengthening food systems since 2019. The program intends to expand its reach from 300 to 3,000 Namibian families. A Namibian delegation is scheduled to visit Brazil in August to study its food security programs and the link between land reform and productive agriculture. National Planning Commission director general Kaire Mbuende noted that Brazil's contribution aligns with Namibia's national development plans, ensuring that cooperation supports local ownership and long-term results.
Four Namibian gymnasts, Sureshni Andrew, Anne-Leen Thorburn, Jonie Thorburn, and Tyesha Humphries, are set to make their Commonwealth Games debut in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23 to August 3. They qualified for the event at the African Championships in Cameroon earlier this year. National head coach Petra Thorburn stated that the team was selected based on their performance and rank at the championships. Training was customized for each athlete, focusing on optimal performance and injury prevention. The team's officials have prior international experience, understanding the pressures involved. Regarding the decentralized athlete accommodation in Glasgow, Thorburn noted that the Namibia National Olympic Committee NNOC has ensured the best care for the athletes. To adapt to the northern European weather and arena conditions, the gymnasts received funding for a week of training in Azerbaijan before heading to Glasgow, which also helped them avoid cold weather in Namibia. The arena is equipped to optimize temperatures. The team aims to perform clean routines to reach the finals and is grateful for the support from their national federation, the NNOC, and the public. Thorburn expressed confidence in their preparation and a commitment to learning from any shortfalls. She also highlighted the long-term nature of gymnastics development, emphasizing patience and continuous national involvement in their goals and achievements.
Some members of the San community in Namibia claim they have been removed from the government鈥檚 Marginalised Communities Special Feeding Programme, which provides quarterly food parcels. The Otjozondjupa Regional Council confirmed this development last week. The program, initiated in 2005, was designed to support San, Ovatue, and Ovatjimba communities across several regions with food items like maize meal, beans, fish, beef, and cooking oil. Katrina Kazungu, 38, stated her food parcels were discontinued in 2018, leaving her, an unemployed mother of six, without a reliable food source. Belinda Garoes reported that her food aid was stopped about 18 months ago after she was informed she was not a member of the San community, despite registering for the program in 2023. Petronella Golo, Otjozondjupa region development planner, explained that a 2024 meeting resolved to remove non-marginalised communities and pensioners from the beneficiary list, as they were found to be benefiting from the program.