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Articles by Roman Grynberg
How the Banks Block Namibia’s Development
Many people in Namibia are like Ernest (or more correctly, Ernst Christian) from Mariental. Ernest is a final-year information technology student at the Namibia University of Science and Technology. Ernest is bright, hard-working and wants to start a business in the logistics sector, but like most young Namibians he has no start-up capital and does not have the right connections to access it.
Oil, President Trump and President Nandi-Ndaitwah
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has proposed a shift of the up-stream oil portfolio to the Presidency, and is trying to pass an amendment to the Petroleum Act to do so. Under the new act, the granting of licences will be under the power of the president and not the relevant minister.
Bernadus Swartbooi and the Lessons from Nigeria
In late november last year, a newspaper headline read that Landless People’s Movement leader Bernadus Swartbooi would seek the independence of Namibia’s two southern provinces. The party has of late dominated the Hardap and ||Kharas regions. These regions have been the main sources of wealth in Namibia for over 100 years. Since Germany’s genocidal war against the Nama and Herero peoples, southern Namibia has been the source of the bulk of the nation’s export wealth.
What the President-Elect Should Do to Stop Corruption
On the campaign trail the president-elect promised to do two things that were very popular. The first was to spend some N$85 billion on job creation and to deal with corruption. The president-elect was, however, short on specifics on both, and every former president has promised to do the same only to see unemployment and corruption increasing. How do you address the problem of corruption in Namibia?
Mysteries of the Sperrgebiet
The Sperrgebiet conjures up many images, mostly of a desert full of diamonds that only a few have entered, and some having perished on arrival or in transit. The need for permission from Namdeb to enter Oranjemund ended several years ago, but the prohibition on entry is restricted to those wealthy enough to pay the tourist operators who arrange special trips for the well-heeled.
Namibia’s Future is White
Namibia has been engrossed in the European green hydrogen initiative since former president Hage Geingob announced the decision to award the green hydrogen project to Hyphen in 2021. Currently, most hydrogen is not green and is produced from fossil fuels like grey hydrogen (such as gas, which costs around US$0,95 to US$2,70 per kg to produce).
Namibian asylum seekers flood UK
The number of Namibians seeking asylum in the United Kingdom (UK) has skyrocketed in recent years, jumping from 27 in 2016 to over 1 400 last year. This surpasses the number of asylum seekers from war-torn countries like Sudan, Syria and Afghanistan, according to statistics provided by the British government.
Gold fraud - Inc.Africa
Why Using References Should Be the New Gold Standard in Recruitment
EXPLAINER | The gold scam that cost Kenya billions of dollars in the 90s - and no one was jailed
The Goldenberg scandal is Kenya's biggest documented gold fraud. Now, one of the businessmen who was linked to the scheme but ultimately acquitted, was recently named in a new investigation into gold fraud allegedly run through Zimbabwe. Economists Roman Grynberg and Fwasa Singogo unpack the issue. For more financial news, go to the News24 Business front page. The Goldenberg scandal in the early 1990s is Kenya’s largest documented gold fraud.
Gold fraud: the Goldenberg scam that cost Kenya billions of dollars in the 1990s - and no one was jailed
The Goldenberg scandal in the early 1990s is Kenya’s largest documented gold fraud. The scheme involved Goldenberg International Limited, which pretended to export gold and diamonds, and in exchange received substantial subsidies from the government for “earning” foreign exchange. Kenyan businessman Kamlesh Pattni – who was at the centre of the scandal and was charged with fraud but eventually acquitted – was recently named in a new investigation into gold fraud.
Is China Pillaging Our Fisheries?
Sport view all 2021-07-23 Djokovic starts Olympic mission as Pogacar targets gold History-chasing Novak Djokovic launches his quest for Olympic tennis glory, while Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar goes for one of 11 gold medals on offer Saturday as the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Olympics finally rumble into life.
Ministry of Finance gets 'F' for Auctioning 101
Sport view all 2020-10-25 Dupont double as France beat Wales before Six Nations showdown FRANCE scrum-half Antoine Dupont scored twice in his side's 38-21 victory over Wales on Saturday ahead of next weekend's final round of the Six Nations. 2020-10-25 'Rough diamond' Lukaku gets Inter back on track, Sampdoria shock Atalanta ANTONIO Conte hailed Romelu Lukaku's progress since joining Inter Milan last season as the Belgian scored his seventh goal this campaign in a 2-0 Serie A win over Genoa.
Corruption, Monopoly and Job Creation for Namibia's Poor
Sport view all 2020-10-11 All Blacks, Wallabies relaunch Test rugby with 16-16 thriller NEW Zealand and Australia battled to a thrilling 16-16 draw in a gripping opening Bledisloe Cup Test in Wellington on Sunday that saw the return of international rugby following the coronavirus shutdown. 2020-10-10 Spain edge Swiss, Germany beat Ukraine in Nations League MIKEL Oyarzabal pounced on a horror slip by Swiss captain Granit Xhaka to seal a 1-0 victory for Spain in the Nations League on Saturday.
Blessed are the Money Launderers
Sport view all 2020-10-04 Djokovic into Roland Garros last 16 as women seeds scattered NOVAK Djokovic demolished Colombian lucky loser Daniel Galan to reach the Roland Garros last 16 for a record-equalling 11th successive year on Saturday as unheralded Daniel Altmaier struck another blow for the underdogs.
The Looting of Namibia – Not a Time for Introspection - The Namibian
Sport view all 2020-09-05 Rebels edge Force in nailbiter to make Super Rugby AU playoffs MATT Toomua converted a try at the death to book a Super Rugby AU playoff berth for the Melbourne Rebels Saturday, climaxing a thrilling 34-30 win over gallant Western Force. 2020-09-05 Recovery with resentful Messi brings new complications for Barca LIONEL Messi is staying at Barcelona but for how long?
The Hierarchy of Bribery and Corruption
Sport view all 2020-08-23 PSG eye first Champions League triumph but Bayern stand in their way in final SUNDAY's Uefa Champions League final in Lisbon will be the first played behind closed doors and could also see the Paris Saint-Germain of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe win the trophy for the first time, but a Bayern Munich side led by the prolific Robert Lewandowski block their path.
President Geingob's Legacy with 2020 Vision
Sport view all 2019-11-16 Halilhodzic woes deepen as misfiring Morocco held by minnows JOHANNESBURG - A poor start by Bosnian Vahid Halilhodzic as coach of Morocco continued Friday when lower ranked Mauritania forced a 0-0 Africa Cup of Nations matchday one qualifying draw in Rabat.
Beware the Nollar!
Sport view all 2019-10-04 Can Deysel show Namibia how to hurt the All Blacks? TOKYO - Johan Deysel returns to the starting XV to captain Namibia against the All Blacks on Sunday. 2019-10-04 England eye World Cup quarter-finals in 'war' with Argentina TOKYO - England can become the first team to secure a Rugby World Cup quarter-final spot Saturday if they beat an Argentina side battling for survival in a match described as "war".
Who is Responsible for Namibia's Depression/Recession?
Sport view all 2019-09-13 Liverpool leave title rivals breathless LONDON - Liverpool's sizzling start to the Premier League season has left their title rivals breathless and the red-hot leaders are expected to maintain their perfect record against Newcastle on Saturday.
China and Namibian Uranium
Sport view all 2019-08-17 VAR denies Man City against Tottenham again in 2-2 draw MANCHESTER - Manchester City suffered a familiar feeling of seeing a late winner against Tottenham ruled out by VAR as the visitors secured a 2-2 draw at the Etihad on Saturday despite being largely outclassed by the Premier League champions.
In Namibia, Being White Sucks
AS A WHITE foreign academic, I know myself to be on the endangered species list. What, however, makes my situation one of being ''critically endangered” is that I write articles that are sometimes construed as critical of government policies. If you comment on government policy, you really cannot expect to be loved, unless of course you are a professional praise singer. But the fact that I am still here and still alive is one of the very best things about Namibia.
Robbing Pensioners to Save Namibia from IMF…
Sport view all 2019-04-18 Mariental set for “fireworks” SPORTS lovers are in for a treat during the 19th season of The Namibian Newspaper Cup at Mariental over the long weekend, organisers say.
Do Politicians Understand the Gravity of the Crisis? What should have been in Mr Schlettwein's Budge
Sport view all 2019-04-12 Danger looms for Man City, Liverpool in titanic title race LONDON - Manchester City and Liverpool resume their epic battle for the Premier League title on Sunday after a midweek of contrasting Champions League fortunes, with both sides facing perilous fixtures.
Namibia's 'Receiver-Led' Economic Recovery
By Roman Grynberg THERE IS NOT a day that goes by when the torrent of bad news about Namibia's economy does not depress even the most pessimistic of economic analysts. With Jet closing down a number of its stores, government guarantees ballooning by N$12,5 billion, and with lay-offs in most sectors, there is little cheer.
Namibia's 'Receiver-led' Economic Recovery
THERE IS NOT a day that goes by when the torrent of bad news about Namibia's economy does not depress even the most pessimistic of economic analysts. With Jet closing down a number of its stores, government guarantees ballooning by N$12,5 billion, and with lay-offs in most sectors, there is little cheer.
Namibia Malled - The Namibian
Sport view all 2019-02-15 Swimming takes centre stage SWIMMING will take centre stage in Windhoek and surroundings for the next few days when more than 450 swimmers from 14 SADC nations compete in the Cana Zone 4 Swimming Championships from Saturday till next Wednesday.
Peugeot – Is Namibia Industrialising? - The Namibian
SINCE INDEPENDENCE, one administration after another has promised to industrialise the country. None have, but recently Namibia took a major step towards fulfilling that dream. Namibia is now the proud co-owner of a Peugeot/Opel assembly plant at Walvis Bay, which rolled out its first Peugeot 308 SUV off the production line a couple of weeks ago, and some two dozen workers were seen happily welcoming the first Namibian – produced car.
2020/2021 – The Year of Economic Reckoning? - The Namibian
TWO WEEKS ago, the International Monetary Fund paid a visit to Namibia. They were not here for their annual Article IV consultation, but something far more serious. They were undertaking a macroeconomic risk assessment of the country. The report now in wide circulation has one outstanding feature. The action plan and interventions the government is supposed to implement are all dated 2019.
Pearls of wisdom hide ugly truths
What do pink plastic pearls have to do with unemployment, especially for our children? For the answer, go to the Hosea Kutako Airport in Windhoek or the Sir Sereste Khama Airport in Gaborone, or just about any other airport in Africa and, three or four times a week, you will witness a strange phenomenon — a large number of people checking in for an Ethiopian Airlines flight but they will not be carrying luggage, not even carry-on baggage.
Namibia's Industrialisation Policy Is Not Succeeding - Why?
opinion By Roman GrynbergIf you look at the policy and figures, they just don't mesh. Every industrial trade or development policy statement in Namibia since independence has emphasised the key role of industrialisation as the main driver of production and employment. This is true from NDP 1 until the Harambee Prosperity Plan. Yet, the figures suggest that very little has been achieved.
Africa's diamantaires in the rough
The diamond cutting industry in Southern Africa needs to be nurtured if it is to compete with India. (Alexander Joe, AFP) The wages of diamond cutters in Botswana and India are not dissimilar, yet in India there are 800 000 cutters and in Botswana only 3 750. The difference between the two countries stems largely from the productivity of workers.
African coffee isn't worth a bean
Perhaps the one thing that stands out the most in the international coffee trade is the obvious injustice towards African, Asian and Latin American coffee growers, who get some 7% of the value of roasted coffee sold in supermarkets. The Fairtrade people have complained for years and have made some impact when it comes to farmers' returns for their coffee.
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