WEEKLY NEWS – 17 February 2012
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: YOU CAN HOPE FOR A MIRACLE IN YOUR LIFE, OR YOU CAN REALIZE THAT YOUR LIFE IS THE MIRACLE - Robert Brault
In today’s newsletter –
· Minister of Finance gives review of macro economy
· Policy for rural development takes shape
· FA and other news
Minister of Finance gives review of macro economy
On Monday, February 13, 2012 the Minister of Finance, Ms SaaraKuugongelwa-Amadhila invited representatives of the private sector to talk about the macro economic situation in Namibia and the effect thereof on the medium term expenditure framework for 2012/2013 – 2014/2015. The talk was held under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister, Mr NahasAngula and is part of Government’s transparency with regard to sharing public programs and policies with the private sector.
The Minister of Finance expects a 5% growth in the economy in 2012/2013, but is at the same time concerned that the personnel expenditures of the state have increased to 45% of the budget. Challenges for the next 2 years are inter alia employment creation, the broadening of the income tax basis, improvement of infrastructure and the reform of the labour market against the background of the amount of strikes which the country experiences.
The representatives of the different industries were in agreement that there are opportunities in all sectors for the support of economic growth but that a platform will have to be created for better cooperation between government and the private sector.
The president of the NAU, Mr Ryno van der Merwe on behalf of the agricultural sector, was pleading for cooperation between Government and the private sector to exploit opportunities in the agricultural sector to support Government’s policy of economic growth and employment creation.
Policy for rural development takes shape
The Ministry of Regional and Local Government, Housing and Rural Development this week held a workshop in Otjiwarongo in order to finalise a policy and strategy for rural development in Namibia. The workshop was presented by the European Union who made experts in the field of rural development available to assist local experts.
It was a 5-day workshop and the first 2 ½ days were about the discussions of a policy and the last 2 ½ days about the strategy to implement the policy.
Rural development in Namibia is a very complex matter as it cannot be financed by a single Ministry, but various Ministries have to be involved. The coordination of activities on regional and national level are thus of utmost importance to implement the strategy and especially to coordinate financing through the budget as well as donors.
Another challenge in rural areas is the coordination and cooperation between the private sector, civil organisations such as agricultural unions and Government. There are already rural and regional coordinating committees, but the involvement of the private sector and civil organization in these committees are not yet sufficient.
The Namibia Agricultural Union plans to play a bigger role in rural development through its Farmers Associations and Regional Agricultural Unions which is also a direct outcome of the 2009 NAU Congress which was held under the theme „A prosperous rural economy for peace and stability“.
The workshop in Otjiwarongo was attended by the Executive Manager, Mr Sakkie Coetzee on behalf of the NAU.
2012 Meatco Inter Farmers Association braai competition
The 2012 Meatco Inter Farmers Association braai competition will be held on March 31, 2012 at the Keetmanshoop Show Grounds. The theme is “//karas” (which means Kokerboom). Exhibitors can book their exhibition space now already. Exhibition space can be booked with Antoinette Oosthuysen, Tel 063 683433, antoinetteoosthuysen@iway.na. To enter braai teams – FA and social, contact Brenda Kotze, Tel 063 281208, Kalahari@iway.na and any other information can be obtained from Willem Steenkamp, Tel 063 280655, toulon@iway.na. Entries for the FA and social teams close on February 29, 2012 (the previous closing date was February 15 but it has been changed to February 29). Entry forms and rules as well as the program can be obtained on the NAU website under the following links:
Forms and rules:
Program:
Charcoal producers will hold information / trainings day
Charcoal producers will hold a charcoal information / trainings day on March 24 at 08:00 at the Grootfontein Rugby Club. All charcoal producers who will attend are requested to bring along their charcoal foremen. Matters which will be discussed are inter alia the prevention of veldfires caused by charcoal burning, fire insurance, etc. For further details and to register, please contact Mr Willem Enslin, Tel 081 2305078.
NSBA Meat production school
The Namibia Stud Breeders Association is hosting a meat production school from March 13 – 15, 2012 at the Agra/Bank Windhoek Ring, Windhoek Showgrounds. On March 13 a welcome function will be held at the Safari Hotel at 19:00 and will be opened by the Minister of Agriculture, Water & Forestry, Mr John Mutorwa. On March 14 & 15 the program each starts at 08:00. The ladies program is on March 14 and will be from 14:00 – 17:00 and the gala evening is on March 14 at 19:00 at the Safari Hotel. Speakers at the school will be Messrs R E F Rusch, PoenaPotgieter, Prof F W Neser, Dr H Dreyer, Brian Finkley (UK) Walter Roodt, Leon Lubbe, Dr M Bradfield, Martin Ferreira, Bertus Kruger, Mr Kellerman and Francois de Chalain. The summary will be done by the chairperson of the NSBA, Mr Ryno van der Merwe. Registration fee for the full school is N$850 per person whereby meals and material are included. A one day attendance will be N$430 per person whereby meals and material are included. The fee for the ladies program is N$250 per person whereby coffee and cake is included and the speaker at the ladies program is RiaanMomberg who talks about Efekto in and around the house. Further details from Mr Els, Tel 061 235158, Jacque@iway.na. Entry forms and the program are available at the NSBA or can be downloaded from the NAU website at -
Entry form:
Program:
K.I. course offered
Gobabis Veterinary Practice plans to offer an informal K.I. Course at the Sandveld Research Station. Interested parties can contact Gobabis Veterinary Practice at 062 563877, gobavet@mweb.com.na.
FA and other news
Kalkfeld FA is holding a meeting on March 14 at 09:00 at Farm Klein Okarumue-Süd of Mr and Mrs I Jacobi. Guest speakers are Mr Derek Wright of the Agricultural Employers Association and Dr L de Waal, the Omaruru state veterinarian. Further details from Mrs Sylvia Friedensdorf, Tel 067 290009, kfriedensdorf@iway.na.
Veldduin FA is holding a hunting and game day on February 25 at Farm Duinekraal of Schalk and Mary-Ann Nel. The program starts early in the morning with a Potjiekos competition and various speakers will attend the day. A race and entertainment for the women are also offered. For further details contact Schalk and Mary-Ann Nel, Tel 067 232321, swbnel@iway.na or Schalk and Monia Kuhn, Tel 081 2332123, 067 232306, swk@iway.na.
The meeting of Tsumeb FA which should have been held on February 23 at 13:00 at the Schützenverein, has been postponed as the chairman, Mr K H Friederich was involved in a serious car accident. For further details contact Mrs Valerie Oberholster, Tel 081 1227454, oulap@iway.na.
Aranos FA is holding a meeting on February 22 at 16:00. For further details contact Mrs Jolene Mans, Tel 063 250187, kierie@iway.na.
Keetmanshoop RAU is offering a management training course from February 22 – 23. Piet and Christine will present the course on behalf of the NAU and interested parties can contact Berdine de Klerk at Tel 081 2474469, arbeid@mtcmobile.com.na.
The annual motivation day of Mariental Regional Agricultural Union will be held on March 22 at Mariental. Further details will be announced soon or can be obtained from Mr HannesVisagie, Tel 063 275342, jwv@mweb.com.na.
Karibib FA is holding a meeting on March 3 at 17:00 at Kaltenhausen. For further details contact Mr Polla Swart, Tel 061 241191.
Seeis FA is holding a meeting on March 14 at 15:00 at the association house at Farm Otjihaenena. For further details contact Mrs Elke Zimmer, Tel 062 560080,ziboauto@mweb.com.na
WestelikeKhomas FA is holding a meeting on March 14 at 15:00 at the Harmonie hall. Further details from Mrs Greeff, Tel 064 551565, luanda@iway.na.
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