Academic literature on the topic 'Oshakati (Namibia) – Economic conditions'

This paper aimed to diagnose the community of Oshakati community in Oshana region in the northern part of the Republic of Namibia by providing an overall picture of the local community and the residents’ concerns, the health problems and challenges and suggest priority areas for health intervention and the feasible solutions.A survey was conducted using self-administered questionnaires, face to face interviews, focus groups.The main problems identified are: teenage pregnancies due to unprotected sex and early sexual behaviors, promiscuity by means of poverty, alcohol and drug abuse resulting in stab wounds, uncontrolled behaviors, domestic violence, assault and crime, high levels of unemployment, stress and depression, TB, HIV with growing number of orphans, diarrhea and respiratory infections.The survey conducted in Oshakati has shown that the assessment of the community is useful in identifying the important problems and needs for the community; the cultural, social, economic, environmental factors have to be considered for good health reform. The resources are available and should be utilized for active participation of the people and implication of the authorities in health promotion by identifying and prioritizing problems of the community they serve.

The University of Namibia (UNAM) is the only national university in Namibia that was established in 1992. It offers diploma and degree courses. The Bachelor of Nursing Science (Clinical) (Honours) was introduced in 2008 after the Diploma in Comprehensive Nursing Science was phased out. This degree is offered over the period of four years full-time. Students are allocated to the clinical practice throughout the training to acquire the relevant nursing skills. At the time of research the course was offered at two campuses only namely Windhoek and Oshakati. The total number of students who were admitted in 2010 was 83, but at the time of the research when they were in their fourth year, there were only 59. The difference of 24 was the students who could not make it to the fourth year and finish in the prescribed time frame. The lecturers were concerned with the poor performance of the students, the increased number of students with some modules behind, and the overcrowding of some classes. The purpose of the study was to identify, explore and describe the factors that hinder the academic performance of the nursing students at the UNAM Oshakati campus. The study was conducted among nursing students who registered for the Bachelor of Nursing Science (Clinical) (Honours) in 2010. The study was qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual in nature using non-probability purposive sampling. The findings revealed that the academic performance of student nurses at the University of Namibia Oshakati campus is influenced by both internal and external factors. However, external factors are many compared to internal factors. External related factors comprise of teaching and learning, insufficient resources, lack of university accommodation, curriculum related and socio-economic factors. Teaching and learning related factors include use of one teaching strategy, language barriers, inadequate support and labeling of students by lecturers. On the other hand, insufficient resources are unavailability of the bookshop on campus, insufficient prescribed textbooks, poor internet facility, lack of space and less equipped library. Curriculum related factors include overloaded examination time table, huge scope of test, study day system and module pre-requisites, while socio-economic factors are problems in relationships, peer influence, financial problems and pregnancy while studying. Internal factors comprise of students’ attitude and lack of self-discipline among some students. Those factors result in increased number of students with some modules behind, overcrowding of some classes, increased student-lecturer ratio and some students not completing their studies within the prescribed time frame.

Background: This study presents an assessment of knowledge and an investigation of specific factors that expose young female student nurses to HIV and AIDS at university of Namibia, Oshakati Campus. The concern over to what young female student nurses are able to control various issues of their sexual lives is critical question for health promotion and the prevention of further HIV infection. Student nurses are believed to have adequate information about HIV and AIDS compared to other young people in the communities.Aim: To assess HIV and AIDS knowledge levels and investigates factors that make young female nurses vulnerable to HIV infection at UNAM, Oshakati CampusMethod: A mixed-method approach was employed to collect the necessary data, a combination of qualitative and quantitative methodology. Qualitative data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire whereas qualitative data was gathered by means of focus group discussions. Quantitative data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 18, and results from the focus group discussions were grouped into themes and subthemes and analyzed using thematic analysis. Random sampling with replacement technique namely, the fishbowl technique was used to select respondent and participants. This ensures equal and independent chance of being selected each time.Results: Most respondents indicated to have adequate knowledge about HIV and AIDS and had positive attitude necessary to effect behavioral change and implementation of prevention and care strategies. Most respondents were aware of their risk factors and aspects that increased individual vulnerability to HIV and AIDS. While the knowledge and attitude were identified as adequate, the practices of the respondents did not explicit indicate adequate level of responsible behavior among the young female student nurses in the face of HIV and AIDS.Conclusion: Student nurses identified HIV and AIDS as a problem of “others” and continue to report that infection would be an accidental exposure as a result of their profession or perceived powerless over sexual matters and income inequalities. Prevention remains a challenge in planning programs needed to address risky sexual behavior among students due to structural, social, socio-economic dynamics, individual circumstances, gender and biological vulnerability.

Background: Congenital abnormality (CA) is one among eminent problems in the society that affects the livelihood of the individual, communities and the health sector. It creates uncertainty among family members as they strive to identify ways and means to assist one another in the upbringing of these children born with an anomaly. The ultimate purpose of this study was to describe and explore the experiences of parents of children with congenital abnormalities and to identify the source of support such as parents employs when dealing with the child born with congenital abnormalities. This study was conducted at Intermediate Hospital Oshakati (IHO) in Namibia‘s Oshana region.Methods: A qualitative, explorative and a contextual study design using a phenomenological approach was utilized throughout this study. In-depth interviews were conducted with twelve “purposefully” selected participants from the population of parents of children born with congenital abnormalities whose children were either admitted in hospital or brought for follow-up. Data analysis was done using a content analytical method.Results: Data were derived from 12 participants interviewed, comprised of parents of children with reversible and irreversible conditions, long hospitalization, more frequent follow ups and those waiting for surgery. The results were categorized in seven categories, including: 1) A child with congenital abnormalities: the impact of disability; 2) Family relationships; 3) Parenting expectations and practices; 4) Altering one’s family daily life- treading a new path; 5) Social support; 6) Formal services; 7) Societal and community acceptance.Conclusion: The expectations parents had for a normal child becomes a nightmare when the child they were expecting is born with the disability. Living with such a child can be stressful for parents and other family members. Therefore, exploring and describing the lived experiences of parents of children born with congenital abnormalities is an important in the process of finding ways to assist or support parents to provide proper care for their children.

Namibia, After Three Years : Political Independent but Economic Unstable Namibia became independent on the 21st of March 1990, after seventy-five years of South African colonial and racial rule. SW APO fought a long war for liberation, but the independence was also gained thanks to the diplomatic pressure from the United Nations. The United Nations were actively involved in the organisation of the first free elections which were held on the 7th of November 1989. The SW APO liberation movement became by far the most important political party in the Namibian Parliament. But from the beginning the SWAPO-leaders explained that the past should be forgotten. They promoted a constructive political and economic collaboration with all Namibians, African and European. Due to this atmosphere of reconciliation Namibia had a successful political independence. One of the world's most progressive constitutions was written. It ends all racial discrimination and guarantees an extensive review of the human rights. The rules for the organisation of the legislative, executive and judiciary power are respected by all political parties. Namibia is without any doubt an example for a lot of African countries, which are now making steps towards democracy and multi-partyism. The Namibian government has still a lot of problems to deal with. The major ones are the social and economic inequalities that still exist between African and European Namibians. The conditions of life of the European Namibians are comparable to these in modern western societies, while African Namibians are living in poverty. The government will have to change this, because in the long term one cannot expect to build democracy on empty stomachs. But in order to realize the necessary economic growth, Namibians are also counting on the support and the investments from abroad. A member of government recently said: “Now we’ve installed democracy and the human rights are respected, where are the foreign investments and the international aid?”

The project for community forest of Namibia has a mandate to ensure that rural communities manage and utilize forest resources sustainably in order to promote socio‑economic development. Despite the absence of true forests from Namibia, which makes it difficult for timber industry to grow, there is still an abundance of non‑timber forest products in Namibian forests. This research aimed at assessing the monetary value of non‑timber forest products in Uukolonkadhi Community Forest. The research covered the period of five production years. The value of nine selected non‑timber forest products was given in monetary terms. The results reveal that there is a potential to generate monetary income from community forests products. However, due to erratic climatic conditions, there are fluctuations in the income generation, most especially from the products that are directly dependent on the rainfall. Harvesting permits for poles was observed to be the main source of income. Some of the major observed challenges facing the project of community forest were the high level of illiteracy among the management staff. Therefore, it is of vital importance that more qualified foresters and forestry technicians are hired and allocated to all community forests. Furthermore, adequate funds are needed from the government and donors to support incentives and forest activities in community forests.

Missionary work was one of the main forces in the opening of the African continent to direct western influence. In many cases, from the 1830s onwards, missionaries were the first Westerners residing in the interior of the continent, thus accumulating considerable knowledge concerning geographical conditions in their respective areas of residence.The question arises: how did information from these people with scarce knowledge about the interior filter down to representations of geographical conditions such as maps and literary descriptions? Working in close cooperation with Africans, their conceptions were likely to be somewhat more detailed than those of the colonial administration. Politically, they often assumed the role of mediators between the foreign powers and local societies; perhaps this was also the case where geographical knowledge was concerned. The aim of this study is to investigate the extent to which the Finnish Mission in colonial Ovamboland under German influence had an active role in mapmaking.One ostensible reason for Germany's annexation of colonies was to turn a profit from them and strengthen the economy of the homeland. An additional function of German colonies was to persuade people who otherwise would have emigrated to the United States or Latin America to stay within the German economic sphere. White settlers were to supplant what was considered inefficient African land use with commercial agriculture whose products were to be exported to Germany. Public opinion in Germany also advocated colonization for status reasons, which made politicians sensitive to it.

Abstract This study combines historical exploration data with new mapping, underpinned by airborne hyperspectral imagery, to provide a detailed camp-scale geologic view of the Rössing uranium mine area in the Damara orogen, Namibia. The Neoproterozoic Damaran metasedimentary host rocks to uranium deposits of the Rössing area structurally overlie Paleoproterozoic basement rock. Both units were subjected to polyphase deformation and upper amphibolite to lower granulite facies metamorphism during Pan-African orogenesis. The sequence was voluminously intruded by leucogranites, where younger phases may contain ore-grade uranium as magmatic uraninite and traces of betafite, together with secondary uranium minerals. Early, postdepositional modifications to the Damaran sequence included partial dolomitization of marble units and development of evaporite dissolution and diapiric breccias. Major pre-D3 extensional structures developed in conjunction with recumbent, isoclinal folding and acted to focus the intrusion of early, mostly barren leucogranites generated primarily through anatexis of Damaran metasediments. Syn-D4 leucogranites overprint complex interference fold geometries that resulted from D3 deformation. D4 leucogranites were emplaced under predominantly ductile, transtensional conditions, into NNE-trending zones oriented highly oblique to all preexisting structures. These steeply dipping zones provided the prerequisite conditions for partial melt material to be derived from uraniferous basement lithologies. The concentration of magmatic uranium was promoted where leucogranite melt material interacted with carbonates and sulfide-bearing Damaran metasedimentary units. In the Rössing area these horizons occur at the Khan-Rössing Formation contact zone for the SJ, SK, SH, Z20, and Husab deposits and within and above the Arandis Formation for the Z19 deposit leucogranites.

Purpose – The Government of Namibia has traditionally used fiscal (especially tax) policy as an instrument for annual budget formulation. Marginal tax rates for profits and various income brackets have been changed back and forth in response to changes in economic conditions. However, to date, no attempt has been made to evaluate the effectiveness of these reforms in achieving the broad national economic goals, in general, and the potential effects on government revenue in the short, medium and long-run periods, in particular. The purpose of this paper is to fill this information gap by analysing the implication of the 2008 zero-rating of value added tax (VAT) on basic commodities for aggregate demand and government revenue. Design/methodology/approach – The study uses an analytical framework based on economic theory which posits that in an open economy, which trades with the rest of the world, aggregate demand for goods and services is made up of consumption demand, investment demand, government demand and net exports and that real sector equilibrium is attained when aggregate supply of goods and services is equal to aggregate demand for goods and services. Findings – Using the Namibia Household Income and Expenditure Survey results, the annual loss in government revenue attributable to this policy is, ceteris paribus, estimated to be N$310.4 million. With a marginal propensity to consume out of disposable income of 0.89, total expenditure by households on goods and services is likely to increase by N$276.3 million per annum. In the medium-to-long-run, national income will have increased by N$303.9 million per annum. Taxes which are responsive to changes in the level of national income will have increased by N$85.7 million, compensating for just over one quarter of the estimated loss in government revenue of N$310.4 million. Research limitations/implications – The study has used a partial equilibrium model as opposed to computable general equilibrium model, which provides a consistent framework that meets most of the sectoral and institutional data requirements for the simple reason that a social accounting matrix which can be used readily to connect data from different sources, such as national accounts and household surveys and would thus have been ideal model for analysing the impacts of the VAT tax reform has not been developed for Namibia. Practical implications – The paper provides a number of practical policy options available for government including, but not limited to, increasing direct taxes, VAT rate on specific (luxury) goods and services and statutory VAT rate on all other commodities not zero-rated, other taxes such as taxes; and borrowing from external sources. Social implications – It is established that zero-rating VAT on all the basic commodities in 2008 reduces the VAT paid by all Namibian households by N$310.4 million per year, which represents the annual increase in the disposable income of all households. And with a marginal propensity to consume out of disposable income of 0.89, total expenditure by households on goods and services will increase by N$276.3 million per year. Originality/value – This paper presents the first attempt at evaluating the effectiveness of tax (VAT) policy reforms in Namibia in achieving the broad national economic goals, in general, and the potential effects on government revenue in the short, medium and long-run periods, in particular.

Rainwater harvesting to irrigate small-scale gardens enhances food self-sufficiency to overcome rural poverty. So far rainwater harvesting is not encouraged by the Namibian National Water Supply and Sanitation Policy nor supported financially by the Namibian government. This study proposes two rainwater harvesting facilities to irrigate gardens; one collects rain from household roofs with tank storage, the second collects rain on a pond roof with pond storage. The aim of this paper is to assess the benefits of rainwater harvesting-based gardening and to propose policy and financing implications for the Namibian government. We investigate the benefits of rainwater harvesting through a literature review, a cost–benefit analysis, monitoring of project pilot plants and a comparison with the existing irrigation and drinking water infrastructure. The results indicate that rainwater harvesting offers numerous benefits in technological, economic, environmental and social terms. The facilities have a positive net present value under favourable circumstances. However, material investment costs pose a financing problem. We recommend that government fund the rainwater harvesting infrastructure and finance privately garden and operation and maintenance costs. Integrating these aspects into a national rainwater harvesting policy would create the conditions to achieve the benefits of an up-scale of rainwater harvesting based gardening in Namibia.

Thesis (MPA)--Stellenbosch University, 2012.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In 1997, the Government of the Republic of Namibia launched the Policy and Programme for Small Business Development. The Ministry of Trade and Industry at the time was assigned the responsibility, together with several different stakeholders, to implement this policy. The launch of such a programme was a step taken to recognise the importance of the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector in local economic development (LED). The core of LED transformation and the implementation of any local authority is the creation of the private sector - a primary source of development – and support of the SME sector in particular. SMEs are considered one of the main driving forces in LED. The current study, which was conducted within Oshakati Town, attempted to study the role of SMEs in the LED sector and what challenges are hampering the SME sector to participate fully and to make a serious contribution towards LED implementation at the local authority level. The study considers to what extent the Namibian government and local government policies supports the SME sector development and contributes to LED and assessed issues regarding the sustainability of the measures engaged in by the government, and especially by the local government. Further, the researcher also attempted to determine how the SME sector in Namibia has responded to the LED implementation that regards SME development as the key to social and economic development through reducing poverty and increasing employment opportunities. The findings of the study indicates that, despite the nationally recognised importance of the SME sector in terms of LED, the sector still faces major challenges in regional and local government. The challenges of business entry (start-up capital), survival and growth are often substantial. The availability of financial resources and the lack of capacity to handle complex business management issues, as well as business premises also regarding the price of business land are all important in this regard. There is a continuous need to improve and maintain the required elements that bring about a good enterprises climate.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die regering van die Republiek van Namibië het in 1997 die Beleid en Program vir Kleinsakeontwikkeling bekend gestel. Die destydse Ministerie van Handel en Nywerheid is saam met etlike verskillende belanghebbendes met die praktiese inwerkingstelling daarvan belas. Met dié beleidstuk het die regering oënskynlik ’n tree nader gekom aan die erkenning van die belang van die klein-en-middelslagonderneming- (KMO-)sektor in plaaslike ekonomiese ontwikkeling (PEO). Die grondslag van PEO-transformasie en die suksesvolle funksionering van enige plaaslike owerheid is die koestering van die privaat sektor – synde ’n vername bron van ontwikkeling – sowel as steun vir die KMO-sektor in die besonder. KMO’s is bekend as een van die hoofdryfkragte agter PEO. Hierdie studie, wat in Oshakati onderneem is, ondersoek die rol van KMO’s in PEO, en die uitdagings waarvoor die KMO-sektor te staan kom om as volwaardige deelnemer aan die ekonomie ’n werklike bydrae tot PEO-inwerkingstelling op plaaslikeregeringsvlak te lewer. Die studie besin oor die mate waarin Namibiese staats- en plaaslikeregeringsbeleid die ontwikkeling van die KMO-sektor sowel as dié sektor se bydrae tot PEO ondersteun. Die volhoubaarheid van die maatreëls wat die regering, en veral plaaslike regering, ingestel het, word ook verken. Voorts probeer die navorser vasstel hoe die Namibiese KMO-sektor gereageer het op die ontwikkeling van dié tipe ondernemings as sleutel tot plaaslike maatskaplike en ekonomiese ontwikkeling deur armoedeverligting en werkskepping. Ondanks die nasionaal erkende belang van die KMO-sektor in die strewe na PEO, kom die sektor volgens hierdie studie klaarblyklik steeds voor groot uitdagings op streeks- sowel as plaaslike vlak te staan. Dikwels is saketoetrede (aanvangskapitaal), -oorlewing en -groei wesenlike hindernisse. Die beskikbaarheid van geldelike hulpbronne, die gebrek aan vermoë om ingewikkelde sakebestuurskwessies te hanteer en die verkryging van ’n sakeperseel, ook wat eiendomspryse betref, is alles tersaaklike kwessies in dié verband. Dus is daar ’n dringende én voortdurende behoefte aan die verbetering en instandhouding van die vereiste elemente vir ’n goeie sakeklimaat.

In capital-scarce low income economies, FDI is seen as a stable and important source of financing for developing economies. FDI is therefore expected to generate effects on the country's economic growth potential. However, despite the long history of FDI, it was only after 1990 that Sub-Saharan African countries experienced vast increase in FDI inflows into the region. Evidence of effectiveness of such flows has remained debateable, particularly with the dominance of cross-country studies in such enquiry. With yet no existing country study for Namibia, this research investigates the relationship between FDI and economic growth in the country and the determinants of FDI flows to Namibia. The methodologies adopted in this study are mainly based on co-integration analysis. In order to investigate the impact of FDI on economic growth we employ co-integration tests and estimate both long-run effects and short-run dynamics using the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model. The study also extends co-integration testing by applying the asymmetric (ARDL) model to test for asymmetry. The standard co-integration tests are also appropriately used to investigate the macroeconomic determinants of FDI flows to Namibia. Appropriate econometric procedure has also been employed to examine the sector level FDI and economic growth using a dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS) model and mean-group (MG) estimation, to consider for the assumptions of both a homogeneity and heterogeneity case across units. Arising from a pluralistic analytical framework involving a triangulation of econometric estimation approaches, the study finds that FDI in Namibia is significant in promoting economic growth in the country. In terms of the impact on growth, the results show a positive relationship between FDI and economic growth. They also indicate that FDI consistently exerts a positive impact on growth when we incorporate trade openness, inflation and gross fixed capital formation in the analysis. This proves that these variables are indeed important in explaining economic growth in the long-run in the country and its development. With respect to the analysis, the study extended upon the linear framework to allow for the detection of asymmetric effects both in the short and long-run, as not to limit the study to the assumption of a linear paradigm only. The results show no evidence of asymmetric pattern in the relationship between FDI and economic growth. Meaning, the responsiveness of economic growth to FDI flow variations is linear. In terms of the macroeconomic determinant of FDI in Namibia the study finds that the potential market size, interest rates, initial level of income, labour force, the provision of infrastructural facilities and inflation are important determinants of FDI into the country. Although openness is found to be positive it is insignificant in determining FDI to Namibia. This could possibly act as a deterrent and as such the institutional set up's for the export and investment promotion services need a criterion for a successful export and investment support function in order to increase FDI inflows into the country and remove such factors that could inhibit such flows. In terms of sector specific FDI and economic growth the results show a co-integrating relationship. Therefore, there is long run relationship in conformity with the study hypothesis. Accounting for causality the study finds feedback effects between FDI and economic growth both in the short and long-run. Furthermore, the study also finds that FDI to Namibia is not only resource seeking but that Namibia has seen an increase in market-seeking and efficiency seeking foreign investors. As such, differentiated efforts towards attracting different forms of FDI flows to varied sectors are crucial if the economic significance of FDI is to be improved in Namibia.

The primary purpose of the research project was to explore the impact the Namibian Youth Credit Scheme (NYCS) modelled on the Commonwealth Youth Scheme (CYS) is impacting the programme beneficiaries in the Omaheke Region. Namibia as a whole as well as the research locale has a high percentage of youth unemployment where most of the youth experience chronic poverty with limited opportunities to change their fortunes around. Through a qualitative research strategy, the researcher set out to investigate the level and type of impact the programme has had on the beneficiaries of the programme, as well as to ascertain the challenges and sustainability thereof. The researcher utilized the opportunity provided by one of the post-training workshops by converting it into two focus groups of fifteen participants in each. Two implementing agents (IAs) were individually interviewed to gain some insight from employees into the inner working and outlook of the workers in the NYCS programme. Lastly, ten beneficiaries were interviewed as a form of internal triangulation in sourcing credible data. The research found the programme has made a tremendous difference economically in the lives and families of beneficiaries. The programme not only improved their livelihood but it also contributed educationally to their knowledge base and skills formation. Psychologically the programme improved their social outlook generally and their political stance specifically, the latter as it pertains to the NYCS programme in particular. The study concluded by making several recommendations on how the programme could improve. These recommendations are not definitive; they are suggestive. In order for the recommendations to be conclusive, several other factors in terms of the research process would have to be considered. Even so, within its research dimension the research proved the programme to be highly effective.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2001.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Republic of Namibia gained its independence from South Africa on 21 March 1990. The divided economic sector between modem European orientated and the underdeveloped African sector places major challenges on the government, the business sector and on the population itself. Vast differences exist between income, educational level, and living conditions and life expectations. The economy can be described as stable. Mining, fishing and agriculture are the main contributors to the economy. Currently the government maintains a budget deficit of 23.5% of the Gross Domestic Product. The economic policy can be described as open and democratic. Exchange rates and interest rates are market-determined. The comparatively high Gini - Coefficient of 0,7%, an unemployment rate of 34% and the decrease of the life expectancy rate are major challenges faced by the government of the day. Since independence Namibia has become a member of many regional and world organisations. These organisations support Namibia in various development projects, which will contribute t a stable economy. The composition of the Namibian population together with the size of the country and its various natural resources makes Namibia not very attractive for major manufacturers or industrialisation. Therefore the development of Small Macro and Medium Enterprises are of utmost importance. Namibia has developed a sophisticated financial sector, compared to other African countries. The Namibian Stock Exchange was established during 1992 and has developed into the second largest stock exchange in Africa. Treasury Bills and Government Bonds have been introduced as investment tools. Various state-supported institutions have been founded to support economic development. The Ministry of Trade and Industry implemented various tax incentives to attract foreign and local investments. However these measures have not had the expected effect. Namibia can learn few things from Mauritius, which has had basically the same historical development and economic composition. To ensure future investments in Namibia the government should consider the implementation of an investment tax, the implementation of an Unemployment Insurance Fund, and the support of unemployed people. The effect of HIV/AIDS will have a major impact on the economy of the country. The regional development will have a major effect on the national economy. The Southern African Development Community should create a regional currency, a standard economic and political structure and a free trade area. Such a regional development will have a positive effect on all national economies. Namibia has enough investment opportunities for national and foreign investors. Political and economical stability has to be maintained to ensure continuous future support of the investors. To fight poverty additional steps have to be taken so that within 20 years poverty in Namibia is not an issue anymore.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Republiek van Namibië het op 21 Maart 1990 onafhanklik geword. Die groot ekonomiese verskille tussen moderne Europese en ander ontwikkelde Afrikaanse sektore plaas die regering, die besigheids sektor en die inwoners voor 'n groot uitdaging. Groot verskille bestaan tussen inkomste, opvoeding, lewens omstandighede en verwagte lewensduur. Die ekonomie kan as stabiel beskryf word. Huidiglik handhaaf die regering 'n begrotingstekort van 23.5% van die Nasionale Bruto Binnelandse Produk. Die ekonomiese beleid kan as demokraties en oop beskryf word. Die wisselkoerse en rentekoerse word deur die mark bepaal. Die relatief hoë Gini koefisiënt van 0.7%, 'n werkloosheidspersentasie van 34% en 'n daling in die verwagte lewensduur stel die regering voor 'n groot uitdaging. Sedert onafhanklikheid het Namibië lid geword van talle streeks- en werêld organisasies. Hierdie organisasies ondersteun Namibië in verskillende ontwikkelingsprojekte, wat 'n stabiele ekonomie tot gevolg sal hê. Die samestelling van die bevolking van Namibië en die grootte van die land tesame met die natuurlike hulpbronne maak dit aanloklik vir groot fabrieke en industrieë. Die ontwikkeling van mikro en klein besighede is dus uiters belangrik. Namibië het 'n gesofistukeerde finansiële sektor in vergelyking met ander Afrika lande ontwikkel. Die Namibiese effektebeurs is 1992 in die lewe geroep en het tot die tweede grootste effektebeurs in Afrika ontwikkel. Skatkis briewe en regerings skuldbriewe is ingevoer as beleggings moontlikhede. Verskillende regerings en ondersteunende instansies het onstaan om ekonomiese ontwikkelling te bevorder. Die Ministerie van Handel en Ontwikkeling het verskillende belasting voordele geskep om buitelandse beleggers te trek. Tot op die huidige dag het hierdie voordele nie die gewensde effek gehad nie. Namibië kan baie van Mauritius leer, wat basies dieselfde historiese ontwikkeling gehad het en dieselfde ekonomiese samestelling het. Om toekomstige ontwikkeling te verseker, behoort die regering die implementering van 'n beleggersbelasting te oorweeg, sowel as 'n werkloosheidsversekeringsfonds om werklose mense te help ondersteun. Die effek van MIV/VIGS sal 'n groot uitwerking hê op die ekonomie van die land. Streeksontwikkeling in Suider-Afrika sal 'n groot effek op die ontwikkelling van die nasionale ekonomie hê. Die Suid Afrikaanse Ontwikkelings Vereniging behoort een gesamentlike geldeenheid, 'n standaard ekonomiese en politieke beleid te hê om 'n vrye handelssone te implementeer. Die streeksontwikkeling sal 'n positiewe effek op alle nasionale ekonomieë hê. Namibië het genoeg beleggingsmoontlikhede vir nasionale en buitelandse ontwikkellaars. Politieke en ekonomiese stabiliteit behoort gehandhaaf te word om toekomstige steun van beleggers te waarborg. Om armoede te bekamp, moet addisionele stappe geneem word om te verseker dat dit oor 20 jaar geen probleem meer sal wees nie.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2005.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Theory states that if a country opens its markets to free trade that it facilitates the better utilization of resources for all the parties participating in the agreement resulting to a relative lowering of production cost, the increase in export earnings, larger markets to benefit from economies of scale and subsequent investment in production facilities will increase employment and general welfare. Namibia has three major free trade agreements or economic integration arrangements namely the Southem Africa Customs Union (SACU), the Cotonou agreement defining its export regime to the European Union and the South Africa European Union Trade Development and Co-operation Agreement defining its import regime via the Southem African Customs Union and the African Growth and Opportunities Act defining its relationship with the United States of America. These agreements are at varying levels of integration with the Southem African Customs Union in place already in 1920. Namibia uses taxes on international trade as a primary source of state income (28% to 32 %). As part of its membership to the SACU's Common External Pool revenue distribution, Namibia is compensated for not being able to charge import taxes on South African imports. South Africa has determined trade policy for SACU since its exception and used tariffs more as a form of protection of its own industries, rather than a source of state income. The lowering of tariffs on EU imports by means of the SA EU TDCA as well as WTO obligations will see the reduction of state income of Namibia of an estimated amount of N$ 480 million [Schade 20051. This will have dire consequence for the Namibian economy as the deficit of the state budget is already 4.7 % as compared to a norm of 3%. In this study the growth in export earnings as well as the investment response of the various free trade agreements have been analysed. Contrary to theory, economic integration has not led to the desired growth in export earnings as well as significant investment responses due to preferential access provided by these agreements. Significant growth in exports is limited to specific sectors, notably fish to the European Union and apparel to the USA. Investments were also limited to these sectors. Free trade and preferential access did not lead to the diversification of the Namibian economy and has on the contrary inflicted severe blows to the critical beef industry in the near past and over the long term has led to trade diversion towards South Africa as well as the European Union. Investments and increases in export earnings are too little to offset the reduction of state income by the liberalization of tariffs and will result in Namibia becoming more marginalised if it does not counter the situation by better trade policies that are to be formulated along with the other SACU members. These policies will take time to be concluded as of yet none of the institutions of SACU has become operational.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die teorie van vryhandel bepaal as 'n land sy mark oopmaak vir vryhandel dat dit sal lei tot die verbeterde benutting van hulpbronne vir al die partye tot 'n vryhandelsooreenskoms deur middel van die verlaging van produksiekoste, die verhoging van uitvoerinkomste, die vergroting van markte wat kan voordeel trek uit skaal van, ekonomieë asook die verhoging van gepaardgaande belegging wat werkskepping en die algemene welsyn sal verhoog. Namibie is deel van drie vryhandelsooreenkomste of ekonomiese integrasie samewerking naamlik die Suider Afrikaanse Doane Unie (SADU), die Cotonou verdrag wat sy uitvoer na die Europese Unie bepaal, die Suid Afrika Europese Unie Handel, Ontwikkeling en Samewerkingsooreenkoms (SA EU TOCA) wat sy invoere vanaf Suid Afrika via die SADU bepaal en die African Growth and Opportunffies Act wat sy uitvoere na die VSA bepaal. Hierdie ooreenkomste is op verskillende vlakke van ekonomiese integrasie met SADU wat alreeds sedert 1920 bestaan. Namibie gebruik belasting op intemasionale handel as 'n primere bron van staatsinkomste (28% tot 32 %). Namibia word as lid van SADU gekompenseer deur middel van die Gemeenskaplike Eksteme Inkomste Poel vir die gebrek om invoerbelasting op Suid Afrikaanse produkte te hef. Suid-Afrika het sedert die ontstaan van SADU die handelsbeleid daarvan bepaal en het tariewe gebruik om sy eie industrieë te beskerm in plaas van 'n bron van staatsinkomste. Die verlaging van tariewe deur middel van die SA EU TOCA asook verpligtinge van die Wereldhandelsorganisasie sal tot gevolg hê die vermindering van Namibiese staatsinkomste van N$ 480 miljoen, Dit sal geweldige negatiewe gevolge inhou vir Namibie wat alreeds met 'n tekort op die begroting van 4.7% sit in vergelyking met 'n aanvaarde norm van 3%. In hierdie werkstuk is die groei in uitvoerverdienste asook die beleggingsreaksie van die verskillende ooreenskomste ondersoek. Daar is gevind dat desnieteenstaande die teorie, ekonomiese integrasie nie gelei het tot die verlangde groei in uitvoere of beleggings nie. Uitsondenike groei in uitvoere is beperk tot spesifieke sektore naamlik vis na die Europese Unie en klerasie na die VSA. Beleggings is ook beperk tot hierdie sektore. Vryhandel en voorkeurtoegang het nie gelei tot die diversifikasie van Namibie se ekonomie nie en het dit op die keper beskou gelei tot kritiese terugslae op die kritiese beesvleisindustrie in die nabye verlede en het dit oor die langtermyn gelei tot die wegleiding van handel na Suid - Afrika en die Europese Unie. Beleggings en toename in uitvoer is te min om die vermindering van staatsinkomste deur middel van die liberalisering van handel teen te werk. Dit sal tot gevolg hê dat Namibia al meer gemarginaliseerd gaan raak indien dit nie die situasie kan teenwerk deur middel van beter handelsbeleid wat bepaal moet word deur onderhandeling met ander SADU lede nie. Hierdie beleidsrigtings sal lank neem voordat dit van krag sal kom aangesien nie een van die SADU instellings al in volle bedryf is nie.

Thesis (MBA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2010.
Since gaining independence in 1990, Namibia has enjoyed a fairly stable economic performance, but its heavy reliance on its natural resources, especially its mineral resources, is at times worrisome. Historically, the country has depended primarily on diamond exports as a major source of foreign exchange earnings and state revenue. The contribution of diamond mining to government revenue has over the years declined from a high of N$1493 million in 2002 to the levels of N$821 million in 2007. Similarly, the contribution of diamond mining to the Gross Domestic Product has decline marginally from N$4.59 billion (16.9 percent) in 2006 to N$3.56 billion (13.1 percent) in 2007 respectively. It is evident that there has been a steady, but progressive decline in the proportional contribution of diamonds to the national income in relation to the other sectors of the economy. This decline can however not be directly attributed to a corresponding decline in the diamond production output, but perhaps due to a decline in diamond demand and lower prices. Based on the fact that diamond production and expansion thereof to offshore operations in particular will continue for years to come and still make significant contribution to the Namibia economy, this study attempts to formulate value addition strategies that could lead to the optimisation of the Namibia diamond economy potential, especially local benefication, as well as increased international competitiveness within the established world diamond markets. To this end, it evaluates the intricate supply and demand patterns in the world diamond market to understand how Namibia could position itself. The study found that there is a clear case for local diamond benefication as an economic imperative and that it is a feasible proposition. However, it must be approached cautiously and within a clearly defined and structured framework. It is recommended that Namibia should pursue the benefication of her unique gem quality diamonds in conjunction with external manufacturing experts and marketers in order to secure a bigger stake in the global diamond pipeline. To this end the government needs to formulate clear incentive strategies and packages for investors and also open the playing field for local manufacturers, without compromising existing relations and revenue streams. Furthermore, it is suggested that Namibia strive to maintain an amicable balance between rough exports and local benefication, whilst expanding the regulatory and enabling environment. Other proposals that will support local benefication and competitiveness of the Namibian diamond economy are diamond branding and marketing through already existing diamond marketing pioneers such as DTC International. Finally, Namibia needs to embark upon strategies to urgently increase its skills base and improve the productivity of its labour force in order to achieve the vision of a flourishing diamond benefication sector.

This thesis analyses the different levels at which China’s presence in Namibia affects Namibia’s domestic politics and foreign policy from a constructivist viewpoint. Constructivist theory is used to examine the different perceptions of the Chinese in Namibia and how these inform Namibian politics and Sino-Namibian relations. These perceptions are formed at different levels of society in formal and informal relations, state-to-state, state-to-business,business-to-business and individual-to-group relations. The way in which perceptions of Chinese involvement in Namibia at the grassroots level of society differ from those at the top increasingly has an effect on domestic Namibian politics and, as such, Sino-Namibian relations. This identifies official and non-official perceptions of China’s political, economic and social presence to determine the effects of grassroots on China vis-à-vis official perceptions in Namibian politics and the effects of grassroots views on Namibian politics and on official views and state behaviour towards China and China’s presence in the country.

Thesis (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2006.
Capital flight is a serious problem for Namibia as well as other countries. If not addressed, it will continue to impede national investment, macro-economic management and economic growth. These issues are particularly pertinent to Africa in view of it is high incidence of capital flight in the presence of foreign exchange constraints, limited foreign capital flows, external indebtedness and high dependence on overseas development assistance. The purpose of the study is to determine the magnitude and determinants of the capital flight burden in Namibia for the period 1990-2005. The study consists of a literature review, identifying an appropriate model for the capital flight burden in Namibia, data collection, and estimating and testing of the model using secondary data from Namibia. The study adopts two approaches to measure the extent of capital flight from Namibia: the residual approach and the Morgan Guaranty Trust method which is modified from the residual method of calculating capital flight. The residual method is an indirect approach based on a comparison between sources of capital inflows with the uses of these inflows. This approach was changed by Morgan Guaranty to include an additional item, the change in short-term foreign assets of the domestic banking system. The estimates from the study indicate capital reversal from Namibia over the IS-year period, averaging U$88.2 million using the residual method and U$200.4 million using the Morgan Guaranty method. The findings, although different from the picture on the ground, create a very good base for future research on capital flight in Namibia, which tends to be more uniformly related to portfolio diversification. The results from the three main model variants are unequivocal and indicate that an increase in aid and concessional grants tends to reduce the capital flight burden, while on the other hand the burden is seriously increased by depreciation of the Namibian dollar and an increase in inflation. These results have important implications for the Central Bank and the Treasury in tenns of strategic economic policy reforms.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--Stellenbosch University, 2008.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In the quest to attract foreign investments which is seen as one way of alleviating poverty by creating employment opportunities and earning foreign currency many countries have implemented the EPZ regime. Though the concept remains the same throughout the world, it has adopted different names depending on the country. In Mexico the EPZ's are called the "Maquiladoras" and in Bulgaria EPZ's are called Free Trade Zones. No matter the differences in names the concept is principally the same: EPZ is an enclave which operates outside the normal economic framework of the country. At independence Namibia faced a high unemployment rate and poverty. In 1995 the Namibian government passed the EPZ Act in order to pave the way for the development of EPZ industrial parks. The need for passing the EPZ Act was necessitated by the acute unemployment rate which the country faced at the time, which had the potential to threaten the political stability the country enjoyed. Thus, amongst other policy instruments, the EPZ Act was passed with the principle objective of attracting the much needed foreign investments which would result in creation of the needed employment opportunities. The government set a very ambitious target for the EPZ regime; it was expected that by 1999 the EPZ regime would have created about 25 000 job opportunities. Thus, the anticipated number of job opportunities was quite frequently used as a justification for the massive investments provided for the development of infrastructures in the EPZ industrial parks and hefty subsidies which were extended to some EPZ companies. It is important to note that unlike other countries who adopted the location-based EPZ model, Namibia has adopted a flexible EPZ model implying that a company which acquires the EPZ status is free to locate or set-up its facility anywhere in the country. In 2003 a Malaysian textile company called Ramatex closed its operations in South Africa and relocated to Namibia. In terms of employment creation the EPZ reached its peak in 2004 when about 10 057 persons / individuals were actively employed in the EPZ companies. Ramatex accounted for about 80% of the total of 10 057 EPZ jobs. Since 2004 the number of jobs in the Namibian EPZ regime started to decline at an alarming rate; at the end of 2007 there were only 5 248 people employed by the EPZ companies. Many times Ramatex threatened to close its operations, citing decline in the demand of its products and low productivity, but after some closed-door negotiations the government initially managed to convince it to continue its operation. Regrettably the success of the Namibian government to convince Ramatex to continue with its operation in Namibia was short-lived, when in the first quarter of 2008; the inevitable closure of Ramatex became a reality. The closure of Ramatex has resulted in the retrenchment of about 3 000 people. The overall performance of the Namibian EPZ regime leaves a lot to be desired. The Namibian EPZ regime so far failed to attract enough investments to create the anticipated job opportunities and to increase the export of manufactured goods. On a positive note, EPZ regime compelled the authority to invest in infrastructures which it might otherwise not have invested in.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In die soeke na 'n wyse om buitelandse beleggings te trek as een van die maniere om armoede te verlig deur die skepping van werksgeleenthede en die verkryging van buitelandse valuta, het baie lande die EPZ-regime geimplementeer. Hoewel die konsep dwarsdeur die wereld dieselfde bly, het dit verskillende name in verskillende lande. In Meksiko word dit die UMaquiladoras' genoem en in Bulgarye is dit Vryehandelsones. Ongeag wat dit genoem word , bly die konsep in wese dieselfde: EPZ is 'n enklave wat buite die normale ekonomiese raamwerk van die land opereer. Toe Namibia onafhanklik geword het, het die land gebuk gegaan onder 'n hoe werkloosheidskoers en armoede. In 1995 het die Namibiese regering die Wet op EPZ uitgevaardig om ruimte te skep vir die ontwikkeling van EPZ-nywerheidsparke. Die akute werkloosheidskoers van die land op daardie tydstip het dit noodsaaklik gemaak dat hierdie wet uitgevaardig word, aangesien die werkloosheid potensieel die politieke stabiliteit in die land kon bedreig. As deel van ander politieke instrumente is die Wet op EPZ dus uitgevaardig, met as hoofdoelwit die 10k van broodnodige buitelandse beleggings wat sou lei tot die skepping van die ewe nodige werksgeleenthede. Die regering het 'n baie ambisieuse doelwit vir die EPZregime gestel; dit sou na verwagting teen 1999 nagenoeg 25 000 werksgeleenthede skep. Die verwagte getal werksgeleenthede is dus dikwels gebruik as regverdiging vir die massiewe beleggings wat voorsien is vir die ontwikkeling van die infrastrukture in die EPZ nywerheidsparke asook die groot subsidies toegestaan aan sommige EPZ-maatskappye. Dit is belangrik om daarop te let dat, anders as ander lande waar die EPZ-model plekgebonde was, Namibia 'n buigsame EPZ-model aanvaar het. Dit het geimpliseer dat 'n maatskappy wat EPZ-status verwerf het, sy fasiliteit enige plek in die land kon vestig. 'n Maleisiese tekstielmaatskappy met die naam Ramatex het in 2003 sy bedryf in Suid Afrika toegemaak en na Namibie verhuis. Sover dit die skepping van werksgeleenthede aangaan, het die EPZ in Namibie in 2004 sy hoogtepunt bereik, toe ongeveer 10 057 persone / individue aktief in diens van die EPZ-maatskappye was. Ramatex het ongeveer 80% van die totale 10057 EPZ-werksgeleenthede voorsien. Sedert 2004 het die getal werksgeleenthede in die Namibiese EPZ-regime teen 'n ontstellende koers afgeneem, sodat daar teen die einde van 2007 net 5248 mense in diens van die EPZ-maatskappye was. Ramatex het by verskeie geleenthede gedreig om sy bedrywighede te sluit weens die afname in die vraag na sy produkte en lae produktiwiteit, maar na onderhandelinge agter geslote deure het die regering aanvanklik daarin geslaag om Ramatex te oortuig om voort te gaan. Hierdie sukses van die Namibiese regering was ongelukkig van korte duur, aangesien die onafwendbare sluiting van Ramatex in die eerste kwartaal van 2008 werklikheid geword het. Die gevolg was die afdanking van ongeveer 3 000 mense. Die oorkoepelende prestasie van die Namibiese EPZ-regime is ver van bevredigend. Hierdie regime het tot nou toe nie daarin geslaag om genoeg beleggings te lok om die verwagte werksgeleenthede te skep en die uitvoer van vervaardigde produkte te verhoog nie. Aan die positiewe kant het die EPZ-regime die owerheid gedwing om te bele in infrastrukture waarin hulle andersins nie sou bele het nie.

Several hydrothermal vent sites have been discovered along the portion of the Arctic Mid-Ocean Ridge (AMOR) inside the extended Norwegian continental shelf (NCS). Seafloor massive sulfide (SMS) deposits are associated with these hydrothermal vent sites. These deposits contain significant amounts of valuable metals, such as copper, zinc, gold, and silver. Loki’s Castle is one of the most promising sites along the AMOR, with two 20–30 m high and 100 m wide mound-shaped SMS deposits. It is located at a water depth of 2,400 m. A production system concept is proposed for a deep-sea mining operation at Loki’s Castle based on the Nautilus Minerals’ Solwara 1 project. The overall cost structure and design of the Nautilus’ concept is in this study regarded feasible in AMOR in spite of the difference between the operating environment for the two locations. As the only relevant operational experience is De Beers’ shallow-water diamond mining off the coast of South Africa and Namibia, most of the environmental criteria used are taken from offshore drilling. Based on the net operating time, and accounting for scheduled maintenance and waiting-on-weather time, an estimate for annual average production rate and an annual production volume are estimated. Significant downtime is expected in January and July. Significant uncertainties are associated with early phases of projects. Probabilistic cost, grade and price estimates allow dealing quantitatively with uncertainties by giving input variables as probability distributions. Monte Carlo simulations are in this study run for different sets of variables, and the resulting key performance indicators are given as distributions. This paper adapts and presents a methodology normally used to assess technological and economic feasibilities of oil and gas projects. The methodology is adapted to the assessment of deep-sea mining projects and is illustrated through the assessment of the case based on Loki’s Castle ore characteristics and technologies planned for the Solwara 1 project with a cost structure adjusted according to AMOR conditions. Costs for processing, refining, waste disposal and logistics after ore arrival at onshore port is not included. The ore uncertainties are huge and the resources are with the present deposit knowledge speculative. Therefore, this study do not attempt to define any reserves.