RDJ Briefing - March 2021 by RDJ Briefing

ENERGY & SUSTAINABILITY News & Analysis

MARCH, 2021

WOMEN IN ENGINEERING

The Briefing and Analysis of RDJ Consulting (NAMIBIA) Windhoek, Namibia

RDJ WISHES YOU

Happy Women's Month

News & Analysis

From The Editor Quick Facts Economy at Large Oil & Gas Electricity Renewable Energy Water The Environment Roads & Transport ICT & Telecommunications Women In Industry Youth In Action Tenders and Careers COVID Update Contributing Authors

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C O N T EN T S

ENERGY & SUSTAINABILITY

MAR 2021

FROM THE EDITOR WOMEN IN ENGINEERING RDJ Consulting Services CC is an advisory consultancy to the Energy, Water and Transport Sectors with a focus on sustainable operations and renewable energy.

PO Box 23738 Windhoek, NAMIBIA Telephone +264 61 400 171

EMAIL briefing@rdjconsulting.co.za WEBSITE www.rdjconsulting.co.za

Dear Reader,

It’s Women’s Month! Welcome to our March 2021 edition where in recognition of International Women’s month and International Women’s Day, we acknowledge Women in Engineering that help us move forward with Energy and Sustainability. Looking back at our past, the issues of gender equity and equality have always been a challenge, especially for the involvement of women in male dominated professions. One of the fields in which women have been greatly underrepresented was engineering. UNESCO reports that previously, women only made up 10 – 20% of the engineering work force (being mostly labour), however this is taking a turn since more women are now participating, despite ongoing gender challenges.

to raise the profile of engineering and technology, and its role in improving the quality of life worldwide and for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. RDJ Consulting proudly supported NAMWIE to celebrate World Engineering Day under the theme of Advancement of Renewable Energy in Namibia and in the context of the theme and the UN SDGs. Therefore, in honour of all the fearless women making a change by productively engaging in the engineering field as well as other including mining, transport, law, etc., RDJ stops to celebrate them and wish our readers a good read of this publication and do join our conversations on Twitter and Wordpress.

Namibia continues to strive for gender parity and in that push forward, the Namibia Women in Engineering Association (NAMWIE) continues to do amazing work.

If you are new to the RDJ Briefing, subscribe to this FREE Publication at briefing@rdjconsulting.co.za and freely share the link with others that will benefit from its contents.

NAMWIE is a national, voluntary organisation that works towards promoting the amazing career opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) to the girl child as well as raise the profile of women engineers in Namibia as role models, among other objectives.

Enjoy, #Stay Safe and note that your comments are always welcome….….

The celebration of the World Engineering Day as adopted by UNESCO provided a great opportunity

(David A. Jarrett) Editor

Authors RDJ Interns*

This report is a FREE Publication and was prepared by RDJ Consulting Services CC based in Windhoek, Namibia. The content is collected from publicly available information and so its accuracy cannot be guaranteed.

89%

Literacy Rate

-1.1%

GDP Growth (2019)

3.75% Repo Rate

66.6%

Employment

2.3M

7.50%

Interest rate (Prime)

2.7%

Population Size

Inflation (CPI)- July 2020

quick facts

8.8M

LTE

Telecom (sophistication)

Tourism, Mining, Fishing Industries

2.575

Million Mobile(cell phones) Subscribers

Water availability (cubic litres/capita)

484.000

Electricity Gen. in MW (Local)

629.000

Electricity Demand in MW (all)

R D J

C E L E B R A T E S

NAMIBIA'S

31ST INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY WWW.RDJCONSULTING.CO.ZA

MARCH, 2021

ECONOMY AT LARGE Master Plans: Are they a Measure or a Desire Point?

Credit: RDJ Photo

ll countries have Master Plans, and the World Bank describes master plans as being dynamic long-term planning document[s] that provides a conceptual

layout to guide future growth and development. These plans help create a “vision” for the future, directing the energy and resources to an agreed outcome that will have development and growth benefits for the direct and indirect communities affected. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) whcich is made up of large countries with large economies, small, isolated economies and island states, and a mix of low- and middle-income countries, in Southern Africa, has such a plan that is updated periodically. SADC’s latest 2020 plan labelled SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020–2030 which is indicated to be encapsulated from the SADC Vision 2050, seeks to enhance regional manufacturing by increasing capacity and competitiveness, which should lead to economic transformation. Key amongst the aims and visions is to enhance crossborder movement of people and trade links through: 1. harmonised policies, strategies, and initiatives 2. [place] a special focus on women, youth, and children 3. development of regional markets for * energy, including renewables; * information and communications technology;

* water; and * transport. 4. operationalisation of the SADC Regional Development Fund (RDF) SADC also aims to reduce the reliance on International funding through the mobilization of the RDF and focus on a Sustainable Funding strategy. This is no small feat when the SADC’s 2012 Regional Infrastructure Development Master Plan indicated the funds required just for the various sectors being the Energy Sector – USD 173 Billion, Tourism – UDS 1.1 Billion, Transport – USD 100 Billion, ICT – USD 21.4 Billion, and Water USD 16 Billion. With this in 2012 being some USD 300 Billion (Rand 4.5 trillion), here we ask the question, does the funding of projects and infrastructure in particular need a revision?

Readings: SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020– 2030, Gaborone, Botswana, 2020 https://urban-regeneration.worldbank.org/node/51 https://www.sadc.int/themes/infrastructure/ https://www.sadc.int/files/4716/1434/6113/RISDP_2020-2030_F.pdf https://www.sadc.int/files/7513/5293/3530/Regional_Infrastructure _Development_Master_Plan_Executive_Summary.pdf https://www.nbc.na/news/sadc-regional-infrastructuredevelopment-master-plan-shows-progress.42981

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MARCH, 2021

PRESS RELEASE

FEBRUARY 18, 2021

Makhtar Diop Appointed IFC Managing Director and Executive Vice President WASHINGTON, February 18, 2021 — World Bank Group President David Malpass today announced the appointment of Makhtar Diop as Managing Director and Executive Vice President to head the International Finance Corporation (IFC), an arm of the World Bank Group that advances economic development and improves the lives of people by encouraging growth of the private sector in developing countries. “Makhtar Diop has deep development and finance experience and a career of energetic leadership and service to developing countries in both public and private sectors,” said Malpass. “Makhtar’s skills at IFC will help the World Bank Group continue our rapid response to the global crisis and help build a green, resilient, inclusive recovery. We need business climates and thriving businesses that attract investment, create jobs and foster the scaling up of low carbon electricity and transportation, clean water, infrastructure, digital services, and the wide range of development success that are key to our mission of poverty reduction and shared prosperity.” Mr. Diop’s key responsibilities will be to deepen and energize IFC's 3.0 strategy of proactively creating markets and mobilizing private capital at significant scale; deliver on the IFC capital package policy commitments including increased climate and gender investments and support for FCV countries facing fragility, conflict and violence. He will also strengthen the linkages between IFC, the World Bank, and MIGA, as the World Bank Group accelerates efforts aimed at boosting good development outcomes in client countries. The IFC 3.0 strategy seeks to help countries create markets and mobilize private capital, including through broadening upstream engagement by getting involved earlier in the project development cycle to create the conditions needed for private sector solutions and investment opportunities. It also aims to expand IFC’s impact in the poorest and most fragile countries, with a goal to more than triple IFC’s annual own-account investments.

Diop, a Senegalese national and former Minister of Economy and Finance, is currently serving as the World Bank’s Vice President for Infrastructure, where he leads the Bank’s global efforts to build effective infrastructure in developing and emerging markets that supports inclusive and sustainable growth. In this role Diop oversees the Bank’s critical work across energy and transport sectors, digital development, and our efforts to bring more quality infrastructure services to communities through public-private partnerships. Prior to his current appointment, Diop served for six years as the World Bank’s Vice President for the Africa Region, where he oversaw a major expansion of our work in Africa and the delivery of a record-breaking $70 billion in commitments. A passionate advocate for Africa and sustainable development globally, Diop led efforts aimed at increasing access to affordable and sustainable energy and promoting an enabling environment for innovation and technology adoption. Diop served twice as a World Bank Country Director -- for Brazil and for Kenya, Eritrea, and Somalia. He has a strong grasp of the public/private sector interface, started his career in the banking sector, and has first-hand experience in leading structural reforms in support of the private sector, including in his position as the Minister of Economy and Finance of Senegal. Diop worked as an economist in the International Monetary Fund. And he served as the World Bank Director for Finance, Private Sector & Infrastructure in the Latin America and Caribbean region. A recognized opinion leader in development, Makhtar has been named one of the 100 most influential Africans in the world. In 2015, he received the prestigious Regents’ Lectureship Award from the University of California, Berkeley. He holds advanced degrees in economics and finance. This appointment is effective March 1, 2021.

Original Source: https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2021/02/18/makhtar-diop-appointed-ifc-managing-director-and-executive-vice-president

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MARCH, 2021

Europe Must Avoid Air Travel Regentrification AUTHOR: Victoria Moores Aviation Week

Credit: Aviation Week

head of the UK’s new immigration rules that came into effect in February, mandating multiple COVID19 tests and mandatory quarantines in government

government-approved hotels for some international arriving passengers, this headline caught the eye: “You have to be desperate and wealthy to fly from Monday.” The headline, on the Sky News channel, was quoting Heathrow Airport CEO John Holland-Kaye talking about the £1,750 ($2,400) bill that UK-arriving passengers faced for triple testing and a 10-day hotel quarantine. The same theme, of travel being related to wealth, reemerged in a different way during a European Union policy event on Feb. 25. The event was about the European aviation industry’s Destination 2050 carbon neutral roadmap. As part of that discussion, an environmental lobbyist observed that air travel demand reduction could become necessary if zero-emission technologies do not move quickly enough. EasyJet CEO Johan Lundgren countered with an interesting observation if air travel demand was artificially capped by higher ticket prices. “People that are privileged will be able to continue to fly. Wealthy people—just like before deregulation—will be able to continue to fly. Load factors are going to be worse,

inefficiency will creep into the system and hardworking families, students and the like, are not going to be able to enjoy the same privilege as people who can afford to pay,” he said. Lundgren, who becomes the Airlines for Europe (A4E) chair in March, raises a valid point. One of the cornerstones on which the EU was founded was the free movement of goods and people. European air transport liberalization was one of the EU’s greatest successes, making cheap and accessible air travel a reality. And, fastforwarding to the current day, the cultural focus on equality has never been greater. “There is no evidence, whatsoever, that taxation has done anything for the environment: nil,” Lundgren said. “The question must be: How can we continue with the benefit that aviation gives to economies, to people's lives, and do that in a [sustainable] way?” He argued that air travel should not be reserved for “rich and privileged people, who can afford to pay whatever the cost.” Restoring air travel to its former status, as a privileged mode of transport that is only accessible to the wealthy, whether for health or environmental reasons, would surely be an EU own-goal and a huge backward step for society as a whole.

Original Source: https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/editorial-europe-must-avoid-air-travel-regentrification

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MARCH, 2021

The Goldilocks Stimulus Myth AUTHOR: Yanis Varoufakis

Image Source: Robert Alexander/Getty Images

S President Joe Biden, facing the great challenge of stimulating his country’s economy for the postpandemic era, and haunted by then-President

Barack Obama’s tepid stimulus in the face of the Great Recession a decade ago, has decided to err on the side of overshooting. He wants to “go big” with a $1.9 trillion spending plan. Prominent centrists like Larry Summers and Olivier Blanchard warn that Biden’s decision may prove his undoing. Their argument is that too much stimulus will trigger an inflationary surge, resulting in an interest-rate spike that will force his administration to slam on the austerity brakes just before the midterm elections in 2022, costing his Democratic Party control of Congress – just as too little stimulus cost Obama control of Congress in the 2010 midterms. The problem with this debate is that both supporters and critics of Biden’s stimulus plan assume that there is a dollar amount that is big enough, but not too big. Where they disagree is on what that figure is. In fact, no such figure exists: every possible stimulus size is

simultaneously too little and too big. To see why there can be no “Goldilocks” stimulus that gets the amount “just right,” it helps to engage the critics who argue that the administration’s proposal would overheat the economy and hand the Republicans the midterms. Central to their prediction is their tacit assumption that there is also a Goldilocks interest rate and a corresponding stimulus size that will deliver it. What would render any rate of interest “just right”? First, it would achieve the right balance between available savings and productive investment. Second, it would not unleash a cascade of corporate bankruptcies, bad loans, and a fresh banking crisis. And there’s the rub: It is not at all clear that there is a single interest rate that can do both. Once upon a time, there was. In the 1950s and early 1960s, under the Bretton Woods system, an interest rate of around 4% did the trick of balancing savings and investment while keeping bank profitability at a level that allowed credit to reproduce itself sustainably.

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MARCH, 2021

Back then, if investment fell below available savings for too long, and failed to recover despite a reduction in the interest rate, a well-designed government stimulus raised investment back to the level of savings, the rate of interest picked up, and balance was restored. Alas, we no longer live in that kind of world.

moment financial markets get a whiff that this is about to happen, they will push interest rates up to a level reflecting the better balance between savings and investment. Immediately, corporations hooked on low interest rates will face ruin; so will their bankers.

The reason capitalism no longer works like that is the manner in which the Obama administration, aided and abetted by the Federal Reserve, re-floated the sinking Western banks. The 2008 crisis was as deep and terrible as that of 1929.

In theory, this can be prevented if the stimulus simultaneously boosts incomes and consumption, so that corporations’ rising income can compensate for the rising interest rates. But, in practice, there is no time for corporations to be weaned off their dependency on low interest rates, because any stimulus takes a lot longer to stimulate incomes than it does to boost interest rates.

As in 1929, sequential bankruptcies, unemployment, and falling prices meant no one was willing to borrow. Interest rates nosedived to zero and capitalism fell into what John Maynard Keynes referred to as the “liquidity trap.” Once at zero, the interest rate could not go much lower without destroying what was left of the banking sector, insurance companies, pension funds, and other financial institutions.

The combination of the liquidity trap and 12 years of corporate dependency on nearzero interest rates has, therefore, seen to it that any fiscal stimulus now, whatever its size, is bound to fail in one or both of its crucial aims: To boost investment and to prevent a chain reaction of corporate failures.

The great difference between 1929 and 2008 was that in 2008 the banks were not allowed to fail. One way to save them was a large enough fiscal stimulus. Direct injections of freshly minted money to consumers and firms – to pay off debts and to increase consumption and investment – would have re-floated Main Street and, indirectly, Wall Street. This was the road not taken by the Obama administration. Instead, the Fed printed trillions of dollars, and the failing banks were re-floated directly. But while the banks were saved, the economy was not freed from the liquidity trap. The banks lent the new money to corporations, but, because their customers were not re-floated, managers were unwilling to risk plowing the money into good jobs, buildings, or machines. Instead, they took it to the stock market, causing the largest-ever disconnect between share prices and the real economy. Following Wall Street’s near-death experience in 2008, corporations became hooked on (almost) interest-free credit and rising stock valuations that flew in the face of low profits. Total savings dwarfed investment, aggregate wages were at an all-time low, and consumer spending remained subdued. And then, suddenly, COVID-19 arrived, with the ensuing lockdowns dealing major blows on both the supply and the demand side of the economy. The 12 years before the pandemic arrived explain why a sizeable stimulus today may not achieve what it could have achieved in 2009. A successful stimulus must bring investment closer to the level of available savings. But the

“Going big” might have worked in 2009, but in 2021 Biden must go beyond fiscal stimulus. Whatever quantity of money he pumps into the US economy, he will fail unless he does what is necessary to lift the spending power of those who have next to none: a decent minimum wage, compulsory collective bargaining, and direct unconditional payments.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Yanis Varoufakis, a former finance minister of Greece, is leader of the MeRA25 party and Professor of Economics at the University of Athens. COPYRIGHT Project Syndicate.

SOURCE https://www.projectsyndicate.org/commentary/goldilocks-stimulusmyth-no-amount-just-right-by-yanis-varoufakis2021-03

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AUGUST, 2020

OIL & GAS

2021 MARCH FUEL PRICES

N$ 12.65 per litre 95 Octane Unleaded Petrol

N$ 12.68 per litre Diesel 50ppm

MARCH, 2021

ELECTRICITY Meet the Southern Africa Power Pool (SAPP) (SADC)

Credit: RDJ Photo

The SAPP was created in August 1995 at the SADC summit held in Kempton Park, South Africa, when member governments of SADC (excluding Mauritius) signed an Inter-Governmental Memorandum of Understanding for the formation of an electricity power pool in the region under the name of the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP). The ministers responsible for energy in the SADC region signed the Revised Inter-Governmental Memorandum of Understanding on 23 February 2006. The SAPP is governed by four agreements: the InterGovernmental Memorandum of Understanding which enabled the establishment of SAPP; the Inter-Utility Memorandum of Understanding, which established SAPP’s basic management and operating principles; the agreement between Operating Members which established the specific rules of operation and pricing; and the Operating Guidelines, which provide standards and operating guidelines. The SAPP agreement between Operating Members and the Operating Guidelines are under review. The SAPP has twelve member countries represented by their respective electric power utilities organised through SADC.

The SAPP has four working committees: the Environmental Sub-Committee, the Markets SubCommittee, the Operating Sub-Committee and the Planning Sub-Committee under a Management Committee which in turn reports to the Executive Committee. The Markets Sub-Committee is a new sub-committee that was created in April 2007 following the signing of the Revised Inter-Utility Memorandum of Understanding by the SAPP Executive Committee on 25 April 2007. Also created in April 2007 is the Coordination Centre Board to govern the activities of the SAPP Coordination Centre. The SAPP coordinate the planning and operation of the electric power system among member utilities. The SAPP provide a forum for regional solutions to electric energy problems. The SAPP established the Short-Term Energy Market in April 2001. From January 2004, the SAPP started the development of a competitive electricity market for the SADC region. The day-ahead market (DAM) was established in December 2009. In 2015 the SAPP trading Platform was upgraded with Forward Physical Markets and the Intra Day Market.

Original Source: http://www.sapp.co.zw/about-sapp

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MARCH, 2021

“Energy Efficient Lighting and Appliances in EAC and SADC” (EELA) (NAMIBIA)

he Energy Efficient Lighting and Appliances (EELA) project aims to support the development of vibrant markets for energy efficient lighting and

appliances across East and Southern Africa. Efficient electricity use in homes, businesses and public facilities in these growing regions is one of the fastest and cheapest ways of accelerating sustainable development. A preparatory phase of the project started in August 2018 and resulted among others in conducting baseline studies, developing the theory of change for the project, consulting stakeholders, developing implementation arrangements and partnerships and in the validation of the project intervention strategy. The full EELA project started in June 2019 with a duration of 5 years. The project is implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and executed with support from the East African Centre of Excellence for Renewable Energy and Efficiency (EACREEE) and the Southern African Development Community Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SACREEE). Technical support is provided by the Swedish Energy Agency (SEA) and CLASP. The project is funded by the Swedish International Development Corporation (Sida). The Challenges EELA will Address To create vibrant markets for energy efficient lighting and appliances consumer choice, policies and regulations, as well as private sector engagement are some of the key factors that require addressing.

In markets awash with outdated and inefficient products that use a lot of costly energy, consumers need more choice. Stronger policies and regulations are also urgently needed to cover a range of issues, for example, protecting local markets from becoming dumping grounds for technologies that are banned in other countries. Meanwhile, incentives are needed to encourage the private sector to offer energy efficient products and services. The Opportunities and Benefits Addressing these issues will help create vibrant markets supported by enabling policies and regulations, where suppliers offer quality products and services, and governments have the capacity to enforce standards, while consumers are aware of and are demanding quality energy efficient options. There are many flow-on benefits from this. The burden on national grids drops, giving more people reliable electricity, while businesses become more competitive, households save, and CO2 emissions fall. Energy efficient lights and appliances also offer cheap and reliable options for communities managing decentralized renewable energy systems. As the cost of these systems drop, they are growing in popularity and could be a real solution for the many people currently not connected to national grids. All of this contributes to faster, cleaner economic and human development across East and Southern Africa.

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CREDIT: RDJ Photo

MARCH, 2021

Credit: Internet photo

The EELA Approach to Change Over five years (2019 – 2024), the EELA project will implement a broad range of activities on energy efficient lighting and appliances in four key areas across the 21 Member countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC): MARKET INCENTIVES will be put in place to stimulate the uptake of energy efficient lighting and appliances. The project will offer supply chain actors technical assistance and financial incentives to deliver efficient and high quality energy services. POLICIES AND REGULATIONS for energy efficient lighting and appliances will be improved through the project, with an eye on making them gender and climate responsive. This will involve developing a regional framework for lighting and harmonised Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for various product groups. It will also involve addressing environmental issues such as the safe ‘end of life’ disposal of lighting and appliances, including disassembly and recycling.

setting and accreditation bodies, as well as testing facilities and the private sector will also be an important part of the programme through workshops, webinars and other events. A network for sharing knowledge within the regions will be established. In particular, the project will offer testing centres support with equipment and capacity building. RAISING AWARENESS about the benefits of efficient technologies amongst market players, policy makers and consumers will be critical. Through the project, public information campaigns using TV, radio, social channels and outreach events will promote the multiple benefits of switching towards energy efficient lights and appliances, addressing women and men equally. RAISING AWARENESS about the benefits of efficient technologies amongst market players, policy makers and consumers will be critical. Through the project, public information campaigns using TV, radio, social channels and outreach events will promote the multiple benefits of switching towards energy efficient lights and appliances, addressing women and men equally.

BUILDING THE CAPACITY OF GOVERNMENTS standards

Original Source: https://www.sacreee.org/project/energy-efficient-lighting-and-appliances-eela-project-southern-and-eastern-africa

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MARCH, 2021

RENEWABLE ENERGY PRESS RELEASE

Energy Transformation in Southern Africa Boosted by New IRENA Agreement with SACREEE

The two organisations will work on building regional capacity and attracting sustainable energy investments

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 2 February 2021 - The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SACREEE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), to work together on accelerating the deployment renewable energy solutions, including decentralised technologies, in Southern African countries. The two organisations will also cooperate on policy development, capacity building programmes and regional events aimed at attracting investments to the region. Southern Africa has seen remarkable improvement in electricity access over the past decade. This is largely due to a strong commitment from SADC member states to take advantage of the region’s vast renewable energy potential to improve energy security and meet rising energy demand. As a result, the total share of renewables in power generation rose from 23 per cent in 2015 to almost 39 per cent in 2018. However, despite significant progress, electricity access remains a challenge. “The COVID-19 pandemic has re-emphasised the importance

of a reliable, affordable, clean energy,” said IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera. “It has served as a stark reminder that the new energy age must be inclusive, just and low-carbon if we are to achieve sustainable development in Southern Africa and around the world. Africa can seize the moment for meaningful change, and dramatically improve socioeconomic outcomes by moving decisively towards the energy transformation. This agreement will bolster regional progress,” concluded Mr. La Camera. By building capacity in the SADC region, IRENA and SACREEE aim to accelerate renewable energy deployment and achieve universal energy access by creating environments more conducive to renewable energy investments. The two organisations will conduct joint activities under the Africa Clean Energy Corridor (ACEC) in the areas of renewable energy resource assessment, longterm planning, as well as investments, policy, regulatory and institutional frameworks. Implementation of activities under ACEC provides a comprehensive opportunity to avoid greenhouse gas emissions, in line with the objectives of Paris Agreement.

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MARCH, 2021

CREDIT: IRENA

“SACREEE has implemented several joint programmatic activities with IRENA through the African Clean Energy Corridor initiative and the SADC Renewable Energy Entrepreneurship Support Facility since 2017,” said SACREEE Executive Director, Kudakwashe Ndhlukula. “The renewal of this MoU will expand and strengthen our collaboration in areas of mutual interest and given mandates. We therefore appreciate the continued partnership and support from IRENA towards the fulfilment of our mandate towards an energy secure and resilient society through clean, affordable and sustainable energy solutions,” concluded Mr. Ndhlukula. IRENA and SACREEE will also work together to accelerate renewable energy investments through the implementation of the “Southern African Investment Forum” that will facilitate access to sustainable finance in the region. The forum is part of IRENA’s contribution to the Climate Investment Platform (CIP), designed to advance sustainable energy projects to investment maturity and facilitate their access to finance. Key forum activities include matchmaking between projects, project developers, and potential financiers and investors. IRENA and SACREEE also renewed their commitment to support entrepreneurship in the region. The two organisations previously partnered on establishing the

SADC Renewable Energy Entrepreneurship Support Facility. The objective of the Facility was to enhance and strengthen the capacity of small to medium entrepreneurs in assessing the business potentials of sustainable energy, develop viable business plans and loan requests, and managing their businesses successfully. About IRENA IRENA is the lead intergovernmental agency for the global energy transformation that supports countries in their transition to a sustainable energy future, and serves as the principal platform for international co-operation, a centre of excellence, and a repository of policy, technology, resource and financial knowledge on renewable energy. With 163 Members (162 States and the European Union) and 21 additional countries in the accession process and actively engaged, IRENA promotes the widespread adoption and sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy in the pursuit of sustainable development, energy access, energy security and lowcarbon economic growth and prosperity. Contact information: Damian Brandy, Communications Officer, IRENA, dbrandy@irena.org; +971 2 417 9016

Original Source: https://mailchi.mp/b95df19f9079/press-releasenew-irena-agreement-with-sacreee?e=9f3843330a

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MARCH, 2021

WATER March Dam Levels Update for Namibia

SOURCE: NamWater's weekly dam bulletin - dated 15 March 2021 The graph above compares the current (15 March 2021) dam levels to the observations made in the previous year during the same season. Following widespread rains over the catchment areas of most of the country's dams have recently reached and gone beyond their full capacity this season, however, in comparison to the previous months, we can alreadynotice a slight decrease in the dams' water levels. The decrease is mainly caused by the reduction in rainfall, and the heat from the sun recently. In the absence of actions taken toward making use of the stored water, its is likely that the water in dams will continue evaporating in the coming months, and hence reduce stored volumes.

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MARCH, 2021

THE ENVIRONMENT FORESTS Environmental Recovery Plan (NAMIBIA) AUTHOR: Monique Jarrett Environmentalist @ RDJ Consulting

n light of International Forests Day which will be celebrated on the 21st of March 2021 under the theme ‘Forest restoration: a path to recovery and well-being’, fighting deforestation and working on restoring degraded forests and planting more trees should continue to be our top priority as a global community for continued economic growth and sustainable development of livelihoods. This day is set out to raise awareness and celebrate the importance of our forests. Forests are not only the lungs of the earth but are a natural solution to our ever-growing varied climate problem. Forests are understood to be important for climate control as the second largest carbon sink after our oceans and also aid in cloud and rain stimulation, proving extremely essential in times of rising global temperatures and prolonged periods of droughts. Forests are also home to many of the worlds terrestrial species and provide a variety of consumptive and non-consumptive products. One of the biggest threats to the environmental degradation in 2021 is deforestation, with the main driving factors being the conversion of forests to commercial agriculture land and logging. Between 2015 and 2020, the rate of deforestation has been estimated at 10 million hectares per year. 2.8 million hectares of forest are lost yearly to farming in Africa alone. This has contributed to the release of carbon emissions in the atmosphere and has contributed to 10% of global emissions. If the current rate of deforestation continues it poses risks to climate change, biodiversity, food security, pharmaceutical production, disease, and pest control. The vital ecosystem services provided by forests can only be safeguarded by protecting and promoting healthy and productive forests. But the question then is “how do we find the balance between economic growth, sustainable food production and forest protection?” Namibia (as many countries around the world with similar ecosystems), is still facing a major problem with logging due to the large timber harvesting taking place in the North-Eastern part of Namibia in the Kavango and Zambe-

-zi Regions of Namibia. Namibia recently launched the ‘Promoting Sustainable Forest Management in the Kavango-Zambezi-Region in Namibia’ project. A collaboration between the Hanns Seidel Foundation and Desert Research Foundation of Namibia. The project is aimed at Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) and expand awareness of the benefits of forests by building local knowledge, skills and capacities and fostering tolerance and appreciation for diverging views surrounding the issue of SFM. This is with a long-term hope to provide continued protection and preservation of Namibia’s forests for conservation of biodiversity, combating climate change and improving the livelihoods of people who reside in and make a living from Namibia’s forests. There needs to be drastic action before it is too late and the effects of our complacent attitude towards deforestation is irreversible. There needs to be an international consensus on a governmental, industrial and grassroot level that our economies can only continue to thrive on the basis of the protection of the biodiversity and ecosystems on which they depend. There is a direct relationship between the two. There is no way we can fight poverty, provide clean water and food security without first conserving the source they rely on. The needs to be a greater awareness and appreciation for the roles and ecosystems services forests provide and a global stance to restore our forests.

Readings: http://www.fao.org/3/ca8642e n/CA8642EN.pdf https://www.dw.com/en/ecocheck-deforestation-inafrica/av-52284034 https://www.thinknamibia.org .na/news/promotingsustainable-forestmanagement-in-the-kavangozambezi-region-in-namibiaproject-officially-launches-atthe-house-of-democracy

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MARCH, 2021

Namibia’s Firm Stance on Poaching and the Illegal Wildlife Trade (NAMIBIA) AUTHOR: Monique Jarrett Environmentalist @ RDJ Consulting

ildlife globally is facing a series of threats from climate change, deforestation, pollution, poaching, habitat degradation/loss, ocean acid-ification and many more. Recent studies show that of the estimated eight million species on Earth, 15,000 of them are threatened with extinction. The extinction rate now is 1000 times the baseline extinction rate with 1-5 species going extinct each year. Various wildlife species that have gone extinct since the past 100 years and many more are heading towards extinction due poaching, the illegal wildlife trade, over-hunting, and habitat loss.

and conservancies to protect these precious national assets. Namibia has taken a cross-cutting approach to poaching, including the involvement of the Namibian Defence Force, Namibian Police, and the Anti-Poaching Unit. Namibia saw an overall decline in poaching numbers of rhinos, elephants in 2020 by 60. Namibia has taken further action by increasing the penalties for illegal hunting of elephant or rhino, from a maximum fine of N$200 000 to a maximum fine of N$25 million while potential imprisonment which can be imposed along with the fine has been increased from 20 to 25 years.

Namibia’s beautiful landscape is home to some of the most majestic wildlife on the African continent. The country is home to a third of Africa's black rhino population, the second largest white rhino, pangolins, the world’s largest remaining population of cheetahs, Zebras, Giraffes, Oryx, Wildebeest, Hippos, Crocodiles, Whales and Dolphins and of the total 415 thousand African Elephants, 24 thousand reside in Namibia according to a 2020 count and many more spectacular wildlife species. The substantial population of wildlife, that reside in Namibia play a major role in attracting tourists from all over the world for scenic game drives, professional hunting and dinner in the savannah whilst watching wildlife graze in front of a picturesque sunset in the distance. Namibia’s tourism sector contributed 2.1%to the GDP in 2019, pre-COVID times, with 345 thousand tourists visiting solely for tourism that year. The tourism sector employs a large number of Namibians through the hospitality sector (hotels, restaurants, and lodges), Tour guides, car rentals, travel agents and arts, craft, and souvenir sales.

In response to the poaching problem, we need to tackle it from the source, which are the major illegal wildlife trade syndicates pumping thousands of dollars into the trade and poaching market. We need to get people to find it more beneficial to protect and conserve wildlife rather than killing and illegally trading them. The protection of wildlife is not only important for the survival and growth of the country’s lucrative tourism sector and economy but also for the maintenance of ecosystems and the vital ecological services wildlife provide. There needs to be a global change of perception in the way human beings view wildlife, not as a commodity to be traded or regarded as a pest but as an intricate and vital part of our survival. Protecting the lives of wildlife ensures our own continued existence on this planet. We therefore need to come together as a country and a global community to work towards the protection of ecosystems and habitats in which wildlife reside and fight against poaching to prevent the extinction of important, vulnerable species before they are lost forever.

Namibia is however unfortunately plagued with poaching and illegal wildlife trade for ivory, rhino horns, hides, horns, pangolin scales and meat. Which not only threatens Namibia’s wildlife stock but also the country’s tourism sector and livelihoods which depend on the country’s abundant wildlife resource. Poaching of these Majestic African big five is an international problem with an estimated 27 thousand elephants poached each year across the continent. With those statistics the great African Elephant and Rhinos run a great risk of extinction pretty soon. Due these alarming statistics there has been great effort from government,NGO’s, private stakeholders

Readings: https://naturalhistory.si.edu/education/teachingresources/paleontology/extinction-overtime#:~:text=Extinction%20Rates&text=Regardless%2C%20scientists%20ag ree%20that%20today's,one%20million%20species%20per%20year. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/extinct-species https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/03/namibia-to-auction-170wild-elephants-saying-rising-numbers-threaten-people https://d3rp5jatom3eyn.cloudfront.net/cms/assets/documents/Annual_Nati onal_Accounts_2019.pdf https://allafrica.com/stories/202102050476.html https://www.lac.org.na/news/probono/ProBono_10PENALTIES_FOR_POACHING.pdf

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MARCH, 2021

Opinion: How Aviation can Rise to the Climate Change Challenge

Credit: Solar Impulse Foundation

viation is one of the most amazing displays of advancement in the history of humanity. Beyond its fundamental role in the economy and the milli-ons of jobs that it has created, the sector has provided the major benefits of opening our world and fostering cultural exchange. As a symbol of our innovation, aviation must continue to inspire pioneers who can help it evolve toward a climate-friendly industry. Air travel has been blamed for having a massive ecological footprint, giving rise to such attitudes as “flight shaming.” Yet the study of global CO2 emissions shows that the largest sources of greenhouse gases are internal-

-combustion engines on the roads, badly insulated buildings and inefficient heating and air conditioning. Our inability to address these massive problems in a systematic fashion has pushed some activists to select smaller targets, looking for scapegoats like air travel. Over the last 70 years, CO2 emissions per air passenger have fallen a dramatic 80%. Today, this represents no more than 2-3% of global emissions, even before the COVID-19 crisis kept many airplanes on the ground. In fact, it is far less than the environmental footprint of the digital technology sector, which is never blamed for using huge amounts of power for video streaming, data storage and air conditioning of multi-acre server farms.

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MARCH, 2021

Nonetheless, aviation is being targeted by those who believe that the only solution to meeting environmental objectives is to shut down the industry, with no regard for its actual impact on climate. This “plane bashing” borders on fanaticism. Although the horizon seems bleak, I am convinced the industry can transform this crisis into an opportunity precisely because aviation is up against the wall and has no choice but to invent a new future. If any sector can rise to the challenge of transformation, it is aviation. Its capacity to evolve is written into its DNA. The women and men who make up the industry— engineers, researchers, colleagues, technicians, pilots— all are the descendants of pioneers from Antoine de SaintExupery to the Wright brothers, Amelia Earhart and many others. To accomplish this transformation, aviation must take the disruptive path that previously brought it success. The first 50 years of aviation history were rich in innovation: We moved from the Wright Flyer to the Boeing 707. The following half-century was primarily marked only by optimization. Tomorrow’s aircraft must be radically different from those we know today, with redesigned aerodynamic forms and redesigned engines. The electrification of the sector, whether based on batteries or hydrogen, will necessarily become a reality. In parallel with this development, we must accelerate the adoption of third-generation biofuels and synfuel, which today represent just a fraction of the world market. The sector will then be able to reach carbon neutrality even more quickly. But we cannot simply wait until that time without taking other interim measures to increase efficiency.

For example, it is critical that we begin using continuous descent approach to the landing field rather than altitude levels, and that we use direct routes as much as possible. We also must adopt optimization software for flight plans, which can help us attain fuel savings of more than 5%. On the ground, we can achieve efficiency with electric vehicles that pull aircraft to the runway threshold, and we can recharge aircraft with electricity directly from the gate rather than using auxiliary power units. While these innovations are being implemented, airlines must take responsibility for ensuring carbon offsets for each of their flights. The cost of such a measure would be quite low—perhaps €5 ($6) per passenger for a European flight—and would address the reluctance of activists to travel by air. Air France already took this initiative in 2019 for its domestic flights. As technological improvements come to fruition, the offsets would be reduced until the point at which no greenhouse gas effect is left to offset. By taking such a disruptive path to become one of the first industries to attain carbon neutrality, aviation will once again become a model for our whole society. This will pull the rug out from under detractors and return the industry to its glory days, when aviation made dreamers of young and old people alike. Aviation has always been a symbol of the human capacity to overcome impossible challenges. Today, aviation must fulfill this role once more and take up this greatest challenge of all. Bertrand Piccard initiated the Solar Impulse Foundation after his history-making flight around the world in a solarpowered plane that proved methods and technologies exist to protect the environment in a profitable way.

Credit: RDJ Photo

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed are not necessarily those RDJ Consulting ORIGINAL SOURCE: https://aviationweek.com/special-topics/sustainability/opinion-how-aviation-can-rise-climatechange-challenge www.rdjconsulting.co.za

MARCH, 2021

ROADS & TRANSPORT Reduced Congestion Expected soon at the HKIA (NAMIBIA)

espite the recent liquidation of Namibia’s Airline – Air Namibia, coupled with the continuous fight

against the Coronavirus, the Namibia Airports Company (NAC) still gave some hope to the country by announcing that the Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA) Congestion Alleviation Project has reached 75% completion as of January 2021. Improvements being done to alleviate congestion include a new arrival hall which is yet to be completed; an increased number of immigration departure counters; security screening checkpoints and check-in counters. Speaking to stakeholders and the media during a tour of the airport, the NAC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) announced that the project which was funded by the Namibian government commenced back in 2019, and is expected to be completed in June, 2021. The remaining terminal 1 of the project will be completed in March, 2021, while Terminal 2 will be completed in June, 2021. The CEO further explained that within the 2019/20 and the 2020/21 Financial Years, approximately N$174 million has been invested in both the Eros and HKIA projects at a proportion of 7.7 to 1, respectively. Apart from this, he also presented the company’s infrastructure plan for the other Airports in the country, and disclosed that with a zeal to improve compliance efficiency and revenue generation, in the next five years NAC plans to invest N$1.3 billion in infrastructure development.

Readings: Image showing passengers quing up for immigration serices at an airport Image Contributed: RDJ Consulting

www.rdjconsulting.co.za

https://economist.com.na/59088/general-news/hoseakutako-international-airport-congestion-alleviationproject-nears-completion/

DID YOU KNOW That March is designated International Women’s Month? It is that time of the Year that highlights the contributions of women to events in history and society at large.

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MARCH, 2021

Electric Powered Deicing Truck Gives Aviation Industry A Lift

Image obtained from: https://aviationweek.com

n icy start to 2021 has an already-stressed aviation industry on notice. An early-February polar vortex isn't unusual for the northern U.S. and Canada. But this year is different as the industry tries to rebound from a significant drop in demand due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Airports and airlines depend on the de-icing process to keep flights in operation during these cold snaps. A new advancement from Aero Mag is designed to help the aviation industry achieve sustainability goals and increase safety and efficiency during the de-icing process. Aero Mag, a company that specializes in integrated deicing operations, announced in December 2020 that it had introduced the world's first electrically powered aircraft de-icing truck. The technology is the latest emissions-reducing advancement from the Montrealbased company.

The truck emits 87% less greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than traditional diesel-powered trucks, a reduction of 35 tons of CO2 per truck each year, the company says. The development is an important step for the aviation industry as it tries to meet global emissions targets, such as the United Kingdom's goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. The vehicle, designed and manufactured by the Vestergaard Company, is currently in operation at the Montreal-Trudeau International Airport, where it's getting an early test in the frigid Quebec winter, said Stefan Vestergaard, managing director and CEO of The Vestergaard Company. "This new technology will undoubtedly prove its effectiveness through its performance over the coming months," Vestergaard said. The vehicle, designed and manufactured by the Vestergaard Company, is currently in operation at the

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MARCH, 2021

Montreal-Trudeau International Airport, where it's getting an early test in the frigid Quebec winter, said Stefan Vestergaard, managing director and CEO of The Vestergaard Company. "This new technology will undoubtedly prove its effectiveness through its performance over the coming months," Vestergaard said. The move is part of Aero Mag's goal to become carbon neutral by 2035. The impact on overall emissions for the entire aviation industry could be significant considering that over the past five years, Aero Mag has de-iced more than 50,000 planes per year. The company is taking a complete ecosystem approach to sustainability—from recuperating, recycling to reusing the deicing product to the actual truck itself. "The commissioning of this first electrically powered deicing truck is perfectly in line with our continuousimprovement program and follows a whole series of innovations that we have introduced in recent years in the aircraft de-icing industry," said Mario Lepine, president of Aero Mag, when introducing the new truck in December. In 2014, the company started a unique recycling process that brings glycol back to at least 99.5% of its purity to be reused again. Glycol is the primary ingredient in deicing solutions.

Aviation experts have noted that the industry must continue to develop innovative, sustainable technologies for a strong recovery. Vestergaard designed the electric truck with additional features that should help airports and airlines deice aircraft much more efficiently during this critical time. For instance, the new electric truck is equipped with a new radar system for the nozzle and System PPS (Precise Positioning System), which positions the nozzle at the ideal distance on airplanes for optimal glycol application. This reduces the heat loss of the defrost and therefore increases the efficiency during the de-icing. Aero Mag's recent launch of its electric de-icing truck coincides with the company's efforts to become a certified B Corporation. B Lab, a nonprofit organization, assigns the B Corp designation to companies that achieve a minimum impact assessment score that measures how a company's operations and business model impact its workers, community, environment, and customers. "For Aero Mag, it's about social responsibility and what we can do to not only be better for our employees but for society," says Marie-Élaine Lépine, Aero Mag's director of administration and corporate affairs. "Aero Mag wants to have a real impact on the people, the environment, the society."

Image obtained from: https://aviationweek.com

Sand mining in Namibia Credit: RDJ Photo

Original Source: https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/electric-powered-deicing-truck-gives-aviation-industry-lift www.rdjconsulting.co.za

MARCH, 2021

ICT & TELECOMMUNICATIONS PowerCom Continues Erecting Towers (NAMIBIA)

s part of the project to develop and improve connectivity around the cou-

-ntry, PowerCom a subsidiary of Telecom Namibia Limited has begun the erection of four (4) new towers. This is part of the twentytwo (22) planned towers to be constructed this year (2021). According to PowerCom’s Chief Executive Officer, the areas that the towers will constructed are; Onkani in the Omusati region, Ncaute in the Kavango region and Kupferquelle and Eenghodi constituencies in the Oshikoto region. PowerCom has decided to engage in this project and prove residents with such infrastructure because of the increased demand for the use of technology in both towns and rural areas. It was explained that the coronavirus pandemic contributed to the increased need for connectivity infrastructure as most activities are now being done online. This project is expected to be completed by April 2021, and once completed, other than Telecommunication operators, the towers are expected to offer services to a variety of industries like broadcasters, internet service providers, the transport sector including rail and aviation, security sector, farmers, and municipalities.

Readings:

Image showing a netwok tower. Credit: RDJ Photo

https://www.namibiansun.com/news/powercomto-construct-new-towers2021-02-19/

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MARCH, 2021

Fiber Infrastructure in Namibia A Reality Underway (NAMIBIA)

ith the demand for connectivity soaring high globally overtime as most of activities have become digital, improving technology is a commendable thing to do.

In February 2021 an announcement was made about the arrival of a submarine fiber optic Internet cable. The announcement about the upcoming project was first made by google in 2019 explaining that it would link Africa and Europe by running a submarine cable along the west coast of Africa. Named Equiano, the new cable off the Africa’s west coast is part of Google’s worldwide network project expected to be completed in 2022, with a coverage of about 14 000 kilometers (Km), passing through Portugal, South Africa, Swakopmund and eight (8) other branches. After its latest announcement, the local operator Paratus Namibia, requested Google to link to the undersea cable, of which after receiving approval, Paratus made a major Public-Private Partnership with Telecom Namibia and Demshi Investments to engage in this project. Namibia’s contribution towards the project is estimated at around N$260 million. To accommodate this new development, Namibia is currently constructing a Cable station in Swakopund with the hope to complete it this year. Meanwhile, the cable is expected to land in September at the Swakopmund waterfront, and then move a further 1.2km to the station situated in the Ocean View suburb, from where it will continue its network into the rest of southern Africa.

In fact, After the West Africa Cable System (WACS) installed in February, 2011 this will be the second Cable to be installed in Namibia. According to Paratus Namibia Managing Director, Equiano will increase the international data Capacity in Namibia to 12 terabytes per second, which is twenty (20) times more than WACS. He further added that with the new normal, this development can surely be of good use since national and international connectivity continue to be the center of this concept. In fact, submarine cables are the highways that make all this happen. Telecom’s Telecom Chief Executive Officer also noted that the collaboration between local network providers will promote economic growth and digital transformation, as well as accelerate Namibia’s participation in the fourth industrial revolution. He added that this will improve connectivity locally, as well as to the rest of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Readings: https://economist.com.na/59627/technology/first-deal-to-share-fiberinfrastructure-with-licensed-operators/ https://subtelforum.com/telecom-namibia-and-paratus-secure-equianobranch/ https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/paratus-telecom-namibia-toland-equiano-cable-2021-02-17 https://economist.com.na/59232/headlines/telecom-and-paratusannounce-major-public-private-partnership-to-connect-namibia-togoogles-new-undersea-cable/ https://www.namibian.com.na/99093/read/Second-submarine-internetcable-to-land-in-Namibia https://itweb.africa/content/PmxVEMKlwyAqQY85

Sand mining in Namibia Credit: RDJ Photo

Image Source: www.mpiafrica.com

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MARCH, 2021

WOMEN IN INDUSTRY Interview with Ms. Ellen Emvula Interviewed by Ms. Kina Indongo (Communications Specialist - RDJ Consulting)

his Women's month we had the honour of speaking to Ms. Ellen Emvula, a creative and talented entrepreneur with an eye for design.

Personal Journey Ms. Emvula completed her primary and secondary education at Oshuulagulwa Combined School and Ongandjera Senior Secondary School. After matric, she completed an Executive Secretary course in Cape Town and then Diagnostic Radiography. Her first job was as a mail handler at the Namibian National Postal service (Nampost). She then worked at the Onandjokwe Lutheran Medical Service X-ray department for 4 years before moving on to work at Grootfontein Private Hospital for another 4 years. Ms Emvula also briefly worked with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on a Tuberculosis research project under the Ministry of Health and Social Services for some time, and she is currently employed at Medirad Medical Radiology in Grootfontein.

Ellen’s Deco Trading cc With a passion in creating a beautiful living in homes and supplying her community with decorative home products, Ms. Emvual began selling her product to her community and began business in 2013. As every new business takes time to get rooted, Ms. Emvual’s business was only launched officially in 2018 and is known as Ellen’s Deco Trading cc (Edeco).

The business, which simply started as a mere hobby, was well received and supported by Ms. Emvual’s neighbours, and this gave her the confidence to take a chance with entrepreneurship back then. “I found in need a hobby” Said Ms. Emvual. Today, Edeco Home has grown and www.rdjconsulting.co.za

produces various home products, ranging from bespoke wood furniture, kitchenware, wall décor art, as well as memorabilia.

Motivations Ms. Emvula attributes her craft as

MARCH, 2021

her motivation to run her business “I have such an artistic curiosity and eagerness that keeps me going. Any random idea and/or concept that comes to mind at any moment keeps nagging me until I make something of it.” Said Ms Emvula. In terms of what motivates her to accomplish her goals in general, she says Motherhood “I am a mother; that’s really the highest motivator. Ms. Emvula says her most significant personal achievement is the positive reception to her craft. “My business is more than just that; so much of my soul is attached to it because I am actively involved in the creation of the craft. It means so much to me that all the sweat and tears are well received” she said. Additionally, maintaining consistency is really an achievement that she is proud of and grateful for. start-up entrepreneurs in their pursuit to self-employment.

Challenges However, as we know there is no success without its fair share of

challenges. Ms Emvula says that her biggest challenge is the scrutiny of the misogynistic gaze that she has and continues to face as a woman in entrepreneurship – gender expectations to not aim for too much success or not to be overly committed to business. She says that the social belief that women engaged in such activities create a threat to their womanly duties and responsibilities, usually causes hindrances in her progress. Additionally, Ms. Emvula says women are not as respected as their male counterparts because women are not perceived as go getters. Despite all these, she hopes to see more unity and exposure in Namibian entrepreneurship. “There is too much division and competition. There is certainly room for healthy competition; that is a natural part of entrepreneurship. However, there should also be room for collaborative efforts and initiatives” she said. Despite her challenges Ms. Emvula still has a positive outlook for the future.

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Edeco home products are currently available at Nictus Giga in Windhoek. “I would like to partner with more local retailers to make my products more accessible. The long-term plan is to open my own home products shop.” she said.

Conclusion In conclusion, Ms. Emvula imparts advice to women hoping to follow their own dreams. “I would advise them to not succumb to the misogynistic gaze. We have nothing to prove to anyone but ourselves. Women are capable of anything that they put their minds to, regardless of what the naysayers may say. If you are passionate about something and have a solid plan to go about it, go for it” Said Ms. Emvula

MARCH, 2021

YOUTH IN ACTION Interview with Ms. Helena Kandjumbwa Interviewed by Ms. Kina Indongo (Communications Specialist - RDJ Consulting)

his Women's month we had the honour of speaking to Helena Kandjumbwa, a comp-assionate dedicated youth whose hard work is changing the lives of children in Namibia every day.

Personal Journey Ms. Kandjumbwa currently holds an Honours Degree in Law and a Diploma in Paralegal Studies from the University of Namibia and has recently enrolled in online courses on Early Childhood Development, Coding and Graphic design. At present, she works as a Consultant for an international organization. Ms. Kanjumbwa has a vast tail of experience volunteering/ interning in the education, public relations and legal spaces

New Elementary New Elementary Namibia (New Elementary) is a Non-Governmental Organization that endeavours to improve the quality of Early Childhood Education in the vulnerable communities of Namibia. The objective of this initiative is to create a stimulating, conducive and adequate learning environment that supports the child’s cognitive development and allows for their creativity and imagination to thrive. The organization was founded in 2016 by Ms. Kandjumbwa. After having worked as a volunteer teacher at children centres in the informal settlements of Windhoek for over 3 years and having been directly exposed to the realities of poverty

and its negative impacts on the child’s educational development, Ms. Kandjumbwa concluded that there are a number of both unmet and under-met educational and developmental needs that required urgent intervention. New Elementary was hence established to primarily reconstruct www.rdjconsulting.co.za

schools that fail to meet the national standards for Early Childhood Development centres, such as those made of corrugated iron (“shack classrooms’’) or similar, into concrete buildings that provide a safe and conducive learning environment, in addition to assisting with the provision of updated

MARCH, 2021

curriculums and teacher training opportunities for the staff in summary, the New Elementary’ s operational model is as follows: 1. Identification existing of centre/school – we do not build schools from scratch. 2. Improving knowledge capital + programs. 3. Educating the Educator.

Motivations Many of us may wonder what motivates these young individuals to pursue their goals. Ms. Kandjumbwa says that for her, it is a healthy mix of ambition and curiosity. She often reminds herself that we are living on borrowed time and that nothing is ever really as bad as it seems. “The idea of experimenting with things to see what will happen if you just try really appeals to me and motivates me to just do things” she said

Accomplishments Ms. Kandjumbwa says she has two recent accomplishments. Firstly, finishing the first rebuilding project and producing a documentary on it. Secondly, becoming a consistent reader and creating a mini library at

home where her collection features books on behavioural science, stoicism, psychology and productivity. “Having been somewhat of a lazy reader in the past, this is huge for me” she said proudly.

Challenges A s we know no success is without its setbacks and challenges. The most significant setback Ms. Kandjumbwa and the New Elementary organisation faced was working with someone who ended up misappropriating some of their funds and the aftermath of it all. “Seeing no end in sight, brewed depression, and having to reassure those at the receiving end of the project that we’ll eventually get it done, was difficult” she said. Furthermore, she added that “Keeping up with studies as a fulltime student at the time wasn’t easy either. As challenging as it was, however, it was every bit enriching.”

Other Involvements Ms. Kandjumbwa is part of the Global Shapers Community (Windhoek Hub) – a community of young people who are committed to improving the state of their immediate www.rdjconsulting.co.za

communities by driving dialogue, action and change. The community has different on-going projects that touch on different thematic areas, but all serve the same purpose which is to identify opportunities where they can add value. For more information on the Global Shapers Community, see the “Youth in Action” section of the RDJ Briefing for May 2020, from the collection https://issuu.com/rdjbriefing.

Conclusion In conclusion, Ms. Kandjumbwa leaves other youth the following advice: “Never run from or avoid the challenges/difficulties – face things head on, always. You need not have all the answers or be prepared, just show up. Learn how to dispassionately analyze the issue (it’s not about you), formulate a plan (apply your mind), execute the plan (just do it - get it done).”

MARCH, 2021

TENDERS NAMPOST Description: NamPost invites suitable d qualified companies to submit bids for the following: Supply of handsets, tablets and related accessories for retailing. Bid Closing Date: 01 April 2021 NAMPOWER Description: Re-advertisement: NamPower hereby invites qualified, competent and registered companies to submit their bids for the following: Design, manufacture, supply, delivery, installation, testing and commissioning the Electrical Control Panels for all hoists namely, 100 Tonne, 25 Tonne and 5 Tonne as well as the long and cross travel of the Overhead Cranes Bid Closing Date: 09 April 2021 Description: Re-Advertisement: Amendment to Closing Date. NamPower invites you to submit your quotation for the following: Construction of Ohama Substation: Civil Foundations, Road and Building Works (Phase 2). The Intended Completion period is 180 days from start date. Bid closing date: 09 April 2021 DUNDEE PRECIOUS METALS TSUMEB Description: Dundee Precious Metals Tsumeb (Pty) Ltd invites registered, competent and experienced companies to tender for the procurement of coal for Dundee Precious Metals Tsumeb in Tsumeb Bid closing date: 09 April 2021

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MARCH, 2021

CAREERS Credit: Net photo.

SASSCAL SCHOLARSHIPS climapAfrica Call for Application - Climate research alumni and postdocs in Africa (climapAfrica) programme for the promotion of future leaders in the field of climate research and protection Duration of the funding: The fellowship awards are tenable for a period of 12 to 18 months. Please note, that funding of the 4th scholarship cohort will start 1st July 2021 and end 31st December 2022 and is limited for a maximum of 18 months. The “Climate Research Alumni and Postdocs in Africa – (climapAfrica)” Programme aims to strengthen technical expertise in climate research in one of the most climate-affected regions of the world and to foster collaboration between scientists and practitioners. To this end, climapAfrica brings high-potential African researchers in climate change research and protection together with African alumni of German funding initiatives. It seeks to catalyse uptake and use of research outputs through a vibrant, highly connected network to facilitate the development of regional solutions.

MINISTRY OF INDUSTRIALIZATION AND TRADE Position: Chief Policy Analyst Grade 6 Location: Windhoek, Namibia Closing Date: 06 April 2021

FEARS YOU NEED TO OVERCOME FOR CAREER GROWTH

WHY MANAGERS SHOULD PRIORITISE PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT

Author: Donah Mbabazi Author: Lydia Atieno The desire to attain growth in your career can be really scary. You think of the likely achievements you can get if only you could take that step towards your goals. However, fear sets in and drags you back to where things are regular and comfortable for you. Career experts underline the need to conquer fear in order to achieve your desired success. However, it is important to first understand what these fears are. Example: 1. Fear of failure 2. Fear of being overwhelmed 3. Fear of inadequacy 4. Fear of success 5. Fear of success READ FULL ARTICLE HERE: https://www.newtimes.co.rw/lifesty le/fears-you-need-overcomecareer-growth

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, WATER AND LAND REFORM Position: Deputy Executive Director Grade 2 Location: Windhoek, Namibia Closing Date: 06 April 2021 Position: Deputy Director Director Grade 4 Location: Windhoek, Namibia Closing Date: 06 April 2021 Position: Chief Development Planner Grade 6 Location: Windhoek, Namibia Closing Date: 06 April 2021

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In order to build an empowered and skilled workforce, companies need to do more than assess employee achievements. For instance, they should work towards a management cycle where evaluation isn’t the sole focus, but instead focus on offering ongoing support and improvement. This can be termed as performance management. Performance management simply means the act of engaging with an employee to review their ongoing workplace performance and development. In a nutshell, it’s a process that combines information gathering through monitoring goal completion, feedback and discussions. Performance management comes with many benefits including boosting employee engagement and productivity. Mathias Nkeeto, an educator believes that any manager should ensure evaluating members of their team, understanding their skills and experience and putting them in positions where they are fully utilised. Ways to achieve this??? READ MORE HERE: https://www.newtimes.co.rw/lifesty le/why-managers-should-prioritiseperformance-management

MARCH, 2021

COVID UPDATE Covax Facility and Namibia AUTHOR: Ms. Chilombo Olga Priscila Economist @ RDJ Consulting

EDITOR: Mr. David Jarrett Managing Consultant @ RDJ Consulting

There is a constant battle between market forces, political play and health of citizens world-wide which was anticipated and thus was born the COVAX facility. With the continuous spread of the novel coronavirus, countries in the world have been focussing their funds in to purchasing the Covid-19 vaccines from the different manufacturers especially from the major production facilities in Asia and Europe. Procurement, Transportation and administering of vaccines is not a simple matter. Due to the safety requirements to store or distribute COVID-19 vaccines such as the need for ultra-cold conditions for storage and distribution, the COVAX programme - a global initiative aimed at working with vaccine manufacturers to ensure equitable access to safe and effective vaccines was created by the World Health Organisation. COVAX, the vaccines pillar of the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator, is co-led by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance Gavi) and the World Health Organization (WHO) – working in partnership with developed and developing country vaccine manufacturers, UNICEF, the World Bank, and others. It is the only global initiative that is working with governments and manufacturers to ensure COVID-19 vaccines are available worldwide to both higherincome and lower-income countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) points out clearly the need for a facility such as COVAX with its now well-known mantra statement;

COVID-19 vaccines under the Deployment and Vaccination Plan, of which 485 million Namibia dollars will be for the actual procurement of vaccines. With a population of approximately 2.3 million people (Namibia Inter-Censal Demographic Survey 2016 Report), to date, Namibia has recorded 41 424 cumulative confirmed cases, 38 514 recoveries and 465 deaths. Despite the numbers being low in comparison to neighbouring countries like South Africa and Angola, the outcome is worrisome, and hence the Ministry of Health and Social Services of Namibia is now to see the benefits of the COVAX facility to enable reception and distribution of vaccines to primarily the most vulnerable in the country. In the interim, on 17 March 2021, Namibia has taken delivery of the Sinovac vaccine which is the first batch of COVID-19 vaccines from Chinese pharmaceutical firm Sinovac. Receiving the vaccines at the Hosea Kutako International Airport, Namibian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Netumbo NandiNdaitwah said the vaccines' arrival gives hope to the country's fight against the coronavirus. Highlighting the long-time friendship between Namibia and China, NandiNdaitwah said she hopes China's vaccines will help the country better manage the pandemic and revive the economy. She also thanked Zimbabwe for its assistance in transporting the vaccines to Namibia.

“nobody wins the race until everyone wins”. The COVAX facility focuses to provide Doses for at least 20% of countries' populations, Diverse and actively managed portfolio of vaccines, Vaccines delivered as soon as they are available and lastly to End the acute phase of the pandemic. Rebuilding economies In support of such a move, most African countries have opened up to buying vaccines to protect especially the most vulnerable - frontline health workers as well as the elderly. At present, six countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have already received vaccines. These that are yet to receive are Namibia, Zambia and Tanzania that is still to decide on whether to acquire any vaccine. South Africa on the other hand has already welcomed its second batch of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in February 2021. To achieve this, Namibia has proposed a total budget of about 583 million Namibia dollars (40 million U.S. dollars) for

Recoveries

Cases

38514

41424 Deaths

465

Readings: https://www.who.int/initiatives/act-accelerator/covax https://economist.com.na/59436/headlines/covax-facility-allocated-vaccines-expectedin-march-shangula/ https://www.africanews.com/2020/12/11/namibia-readies-facilities-for-arrival-of-covid19-vaccine// https://www.who.int/news/item/02-03-2021-covax-publishes-first-round-of-allocations

www.rdjconsulting.co.za

MARCH, 2021

CONRIBUTING AUTHORS

David Jarrett (Managing Consultant) RDJ Consulting Services CC Chilombo Olga Priscila (Operations Manager / Economist) RDJ Consulting Services CC Misozi Mugala (Research Contributor) RDJ Consulting Services CC Kina Indongo (Communications Contribiutor) RDJ Consulting Services CC Monique Jarrett (Environmental Biology intern) RDJ Consulting Services CC

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