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| Namibia Agriculture Union: NAU |
Disclaimer: Although everything
has been done to ensure the accuracy of information, the NAU takes no
responsibility for actions or losses that might occur due to the usage of this
information.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: Success
is not permanent – the same is also true of failure
In today’s newsletter:
·
NAU and Napha meet
·
NAU President and Executive Manager visit members
·
Agricultural Outlook Conference 2014 takes shape
·
SACAU tour to RSA – 2 young farmers wanted
·
FA and other news
NAU and NAPHA
meet
The
President of the Namibian Professional Hunter’s Association (Napha), Mr Kai-Uwe
Denker, and their Executive Manager, Ms Dietlinde Mueller, brought a courtesy
visit to the President and Executive Manager of the NAU this week. Napha is a strategic partner of the NAU and
is represented on the NAU Executive Council through Mr Frank Heger.
Three
important aspects, among others, were discussed, namely:
-
the financial
implication of member fees for land owners who are members of both the NAU and
Napha;
-
poaching; and
-
the implication of
the possible illegal import of game into Namibia.
The
theft of game and livestock has become a headache for many livestock and game
farmers over the past few years. One of
the reasons is that the fines within the current legislation do not discourage
game and livestock poachers. This matter
was also discussed during the past NAU Congress in 2013 where a decision was
taken to submit a combined proposal to the Office of the Prosecutor-General in
an attempt to increase these fines.
Napha has already done some research in this regard. In an attempt to address the problem, Napha
will work more closely with the National Crime Prevention Forum on which the
Police also serve.
The
NAU and Napha are concerned about the animal health status of Namibia that
might be under threat should game and livestock be imported into Namibia
illegally. Both organisations will
request the authorities to do everything in their power to prevent such
incidents.
The
NAU and Napha have shown an understanding for the financial implication for
land owners that belong to both organisations.
Both organisations however provide an essential service for which they
need finances. The organisations will
nevertheless investigate avenues in which these relevant land owners could be
accommodated.
The
President of the NAU, Mr Derek Wright, reiterated the importance of cooperation
between the two organisations. The
purpose of both organisations is to create a positive environment in which
their members can operate to the fullest extent.
NAU President
and Executive Manager visits members
As
an extension to the NAU Road Show to 2013 in Otjiwarongo, Outjo and Gobabis,
the President, Mr Derek Wright and the Executive Manager of the NAU will visit
Grootfontein on 13 February for a similar meeting. This meeting will take place at 14:00 at the
Pondoki Lodge, 5km from Grootfontein on the Rundu road. Interested land owners are welcome to attend
the meeting.
The
purpose of the meeting is to convey the position of the NAU with regards to
land lax and to discuss the proposed amendments to the Land Reform Act. Members will also have the opportunity to
discuss other matters of importance with the NAU Management.
Also as an extension of the Road Show, the
Executive Manager, Mr Sakkie Coetzee, have visited the Osire/Waterberg Farmers’
Association on Tuesday 21 January.
Meetings will also take place on invitation from the Dordabis,
Wilhelmstal and Otavi Farmers’ Associations on 6, 11 en 12 February
respectively.
Agricultural
Outlook Conference 2014 takes shape
The
success of the 2013 Agricultural Outlook Conference, which took place in
conjunction with the 50 year anniversary of the Livestock Producers
Organisation (LPO), lead to the decision of the NAU Executive Council to host a
similar conference in 2014. The 2014
Agricultural Outlook Conference will again run concurrently with the NAU and
LPO Congress. The planned date is
Wednesday 08 October 2014. The NAU
secretariat is in the process of drafting a programme and will contact other
organisations shortly for financial and in-kind assistance.
The
provisional items on the programme include policy aspects, macro-economic
outlook, trade aspects, weather outlook, agricultural technology and commodity
matters. A few surprises are also in
store to provide more colour to the event.
Conference delegates of 2013 can confirm the high standard with which
this day is hosted.
Minimum wage
for domestic workers
According
to an article in the Informantѐ
newspaper of 5 December 2013, at the last meeting of the 2013 year the Cabinet
gave principal approval for a minimum wage for domestic workers.
The
recommended minimum monthly cash wage is N$ 1 218, with an hourly tariff of
N$7,02 based on an eight hour working day, exclusive of lunch. In determining the cash wage the provision of
food, clothing, or any other items does not serve as a substitute for salaries,
according to the article. It would be
expected from employers to supply the workers with sufficient food to meet
their reasonable needs, and to provide a transport allowance. It is estimated that there are around 35 000
domestic workers in Namibia, excluding domestic workers on farms. Domestic workers on farms are excluded from
this minimum wage because they are already included within the current minimum
wage legislation for farm workers.
Although the recommended minimum wage for domestic workers is higher in
urban areas than on farms, it must be taken into account that farm workers
usually receive free housing, water and electricity.
The
proposed minimum wage agreement is expected to make its last round in Cabinet
early in 2014 before being published in the Government Gazette.
Wanted – two
young farmers for a tour to RSA
The
Southern African Confederation of Agricultural Unions (SACAU), of whom the NAU
is a member, invites two young farmers under the age of 40 (one male and one
female) on a tour for young farmers from 12-17 May 2014 to join the tour to the
RSA.
The
tour is aimed at facilitating the sharing of experiences among young farmers in
the region, motivating young farmers with regards to the potential of the
sector and exposing them to high level technology in agriculture. The candidates must be able to express themselves
with the potential to mobilize and lead others.
The tour also includes a visit to NAMPO on 14 May in Bothaville, Free
State, and all costs are borne by SACAU (excluding pocket money).
Interested
young farmers who fit the above criteria must send a short CV of no longer than
one page to Mr Sakkie Coetzee at sakkie@agrinamibia.com.na ASAP.
FA and other
news
An
information meeting and brain storming
session with regard to SWAKARA shearing will take place on Friday 31
January at 14:30 at the Helmeringhausen FA Centrum. For further information
Louisa Campbell can be contacted, Tel 081 2819074, info@lovedale-namibia.com.
Dordabis FA holds a meeting on 6 February at 14:00
in the FA hall. Guest speaker is Mr Sakkie Coetzee of the NAU. RSVP before 9
January wih Mrs Christine Romeis, Tel 061 231230, cwromeis@iway.na.
Wilhelmstal-Okasise
FA holds a
member meeting on 11 February at 15:00 in the Wilhelmstal FA hall. Guest
speaker is Mr Sakkie Coetzee of the NAU. For further information Urte Gebauer
can be contacted, Tel 062 500124, ugebauer@iway.na.
The
GTO (Grootfontein, Tsumeb, Otavi) RAU
holds a strategig planning session on 13 February at 08:00 at the Pondoki
Lodge, 5km outside Grootfontein on the Rundu road. At 14:00 a road show with the NAU Management will be
held at the same venue. For further information Sylvia Düvel can be contacted,
Tel 067 240332, omambond@iway.na.
Blumfelde FA holds a member meeting on 12 February
at 16:00 in FA hall. For further information Magret Binneman can be contacted,
Tel 062 581099, binneman@iway.na.
The
Farmer’s Day of the 2013 Young Farmer of
the Year takes place on 12 March on the Farm Silversand, 90km east of
Windhoek of Mr en Mrs Marco and Regine Seefeldt. The programme starts at 08:00 and
a sightseeing tour on the farm will be held at 09:00. A programme for the women as well as a mini
Show will also take place. Registration
is N$170 for adults and N$70 for children 6 – 16 years which includes all
meals. Interested persons must RSVP before
28 February 2014 at Sylvia Henke, Tel 081 2317823, sylviaheld@hotmail.com,
Carola Raad, Tel 081 3680962 or Marco & Regine Seefeldt, Tel 081
2965802, seefeldt@iway.na. More information can be obtained
from the following website: www.silversandhunting.com.
The
bi-annual NSV Meat Production School takes place on 19 & 20 March at Heja
Game Lodge outside Windhoek. The programme begins on 19 March at 08:00 with
registration. Speakers are inter alia
Prof Johann Willemse, Dr Jasper Coetzee, Dr Dietmar Holm, Adri Nell &
Gerrie Scholz, Norbert Dörgeloh, Sakkie Coetzee, Dr Munro Marx, Prof Frikkie
Neser, Prof Louw Hoffmann, Dr Niel van Zyl, Dr Michael Bradfield, Leon Lubbe
and Pieter Hugo. A programme for the women will be held on 20 March from 14:00
– 17:00. Entries close on 15 February
and the cost for the full programme is N$1 100. This includes the course material, lunches,
coffee and dinner. Registration for one
day is N$550. Registration fee for the Programme for women is N$250,00 and
includes tea and cake. For further information Jacques Els can be contacted,
Tel 081 1281032, jacque@iway.na or Dawid Krause, Tel 081 1249415.
The annual Meatco Braai Inter Farmers’ Association competition is
hosted this year by the Uhlenhorst Farmers’ Association on 28 & 29 March at
the Bitterwasser Lodge, 20km south of Uhlenhorst. The programme starts on 28 March at 16:45 with a wine tasting and at 20:00 dinner is served.
On 29 March the gates open at 06:00 and at 17:30 a prize giving will take
place. A steak braai and dance begins at 19:00.
Entrance fee is N$50 per person (both adults and children). The cost for
the sunset cocktail on Friday evening is N$100 for adults and N$50 for primary
school learners. There is no cost for
the braai team and they will receive free tickets. The cost for the steak braai and the dance on
Saturday is N$ 150 for adults and N$70 for primary school children. For further
information Willie Krugel can be contacted, Tel 063 265311 or Hoekus van
Niekerk, 063 265336, hoecon@mweb.com.na.
|
WEEKLY
|
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|
Exchange Rate NAD (18-24 January
2014)
|
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|
January
|
EURO
|
USD
|
POUND
|
PULA
|
||
|
Saturday
|
18
|
14.721
|
10.872
|
17.847
|
1.216
|
|
|
Sunday
|
19
|
14.728
|
10.877
|
17.847
|
1.216
|
|
|
Monday
|
20
|
14.714
|
10.849
|
17.811
|
1.213
|
|
|
Tuesday
|
21
|
14.730
|
10.862
|
17.888
|
1.214
|
|
|
Wednesday
|
22
|
14.744
|
10.882
|
18.033
|
1.218
|
|
|
Thursday
|
23
|
14.765
|
10.900
|
18.054
|
1.220
|
|
|
Friday
|
24
|
15.088
|
11.022
|
18.324
|
1.229
|
|
|
Saturday to Thursday: 16:00 UTC (Coordinated Universal Time)
|
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|
Friday: 06:34 UTC
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