Южная Африка стала новым центром притяжения для алмазной торговли

De Beers заявила, что регион южной Африки стал новым центром притяжения для участников алмазной торговли, и в основе этих перемен лежали отношения группы с сайтхолдерами.
«Безусловно, эти отношения были важнейшим фактором для многих ключевых событий в истории алмазного сектора,  выступая в качестве катализатора развития бенефикации или роста потребительского спроса на бриллиантовые ювелирных изделий на новых развивающихся рынках», - отметил генеральный директор группы  De Beers Филипп Мелье (Philippe Mellier), выступая во время ежегодного приема для сайтхолдеров, который прошел в столице Ботсваны Габороне.
В прошлом году подразделение De Beers по международным продажам сайтхолдерам переехало из Лондона в Габороне.
По словам Мелье, Ботсвана, являясь ключевым производителем алмазов с развивающимся сектором производства бриллиантов, превратилась с один из ключевых мировых рынков по торговле алмазным сырьем.
«Это не только позволяет повысить экономическую активность и обеспечить регулярный приток в Габороне успешных предпринимателей, но и дает сигнал мировому бизнес-сообществу о том, что Ботсвана – это не только крупнейшее алмазодобывающее государство, что оно играет гораздо более важную роль», - сказал Мелье.
Выступая перед сайтхолдерами, глава De Beers пообещал предоставить им большую гибкость и сделать статус сайтхолдера более значимым.
Мелье отметил, что De Beers выслушала мнения своих клиентов и по мере возможностей сосредоточит свое внимание на упрощении процедур.
Давая комментарии по поводу прогноза для рынка бриллиантовых ювелирных изделий, глава De Beers заявил, что американская экономика подает хорошие сигналы, и в праздничный сезон наблюдалось заметное улучшение спроса. Мелье также сообщил об обнадеживающих признаках, подтверждающих позитивный прогноз в отношении праздничных продаж в Китае в преддверии Китайского Нового года и стабильного экономического роста на уровне показателей 2013 года.
«Политика китайского правительства, направленная на переориентирование экономики в пользу потребительского спроса как драйвера экономического роста и отход от государственных инвестиций, должна через некоторое время оказать благотворное влияние на бриллиантовую отрасль, и нам стоит понаблюдать за тем, как проходят эти изменения», - сказал Мелье.
В Индии, на протяжении последних лет выступавшей драйвером роста розничных продаж бриллиантовых украшений, прошлый год ознаменовался рядом трудностей на внутреннем рынке.
Хотя остаются некоторые опасения в отношении инфляции и волатильности национальной валюты, улучшения в сельскохозяйственном секторе должны подтолкнуть восстановление внутреннего спроса, поэтому ожидается, что экономика продолжит восстанавливаться и после выборов в мае.
«Есть хорошие новости с европейского и японского рынков – в еврозоне наблюдается промышленный рост, а японская экономика растет благодаря программе валютного и финансового стимулирования», - добавил Мелье.

Мэтью Няунгуа, шеф-редактор Африканского бюро Rough&Polished

5th Ramsar site for Namibia

Namibia has designated its fifth Ramsar Site. The Lower Okavango River and its associated woodlands in the Bwabwata National Park, known as Bwabwata–Okavango, is the country's fifth Ramsar Site. Located in Namibia's northern Kavango region, parts of the southern boundary of the 46,964 ha site are contiguous with the northern boundary of the Okavango Delta Ramsar Site in Botswana.
The Bwabwata–Okavango, home to IUCN Red-Listed species such as elephants, hippos, lions as well as slaty egrets and the endangered grey crowned cranes, supports one of the highest diversities of species in the Zambezian Flooded Savannas ecoregion. Over 400 species of birds have been recorded, the highest number of any site in Namibia. Namibia's other four Ramsar Sites include the Orange River Mouth, the Sandwich Harbour, Walvis Bay Lagoon and the Etosha Pan.

The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971, is an intergovernmental treaty that embodies the commitments of its member countries to maintain the ecological character of their wetlands by providing a framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of these fragile ecosystems and their resources.

Корабль-отель "Королева Замбии". Путешествие по реке Чобе

Особенный корабль-отель "Королева Замбези": http://link.ac/2y3J8
бороздит воды реки Чобе, которая протекает в Ботсване. Экстравагантная роскошь судна и необузданная красота саванны привлекает обеспеченных туристов со всего мира.

Трехэтажный круизный лайнер неспешно курсирует по территории уникального национального парка Африки. Заповедник славится самой большой популяцией слонов - приблизительно 120 тысяч. С ними проживает и другая симпатичная компания - спокойные зебры, пугливые антилопы, жирафы, зубастые крокодилы, леопарды, птицы и прочая экзотическая живность.

Роскошь обстановки и великолепный сервис корабля возводят его в ранг элитного туристического транспорта. Частью на первом и полностью на втором этаже корабля расположены четырнадцать эксклюзивных кают. В их число вошли четыре номера - люкс, обставленные с особенным шиком. Некоторые комнаты имеют персональные лоджии. Оптимальную температуру в каютах поддерживают большие вентиляторы и особенные жалюзи. Каждая комната защищена от вторжения москитов специальной сеткой.

На первом этаже судна, также, обустроены: компьютерная комната, игровой зал и библиотека, ассортимент которой в большей степени состоит из публикаций посвященных истории Африки.
На третьем этаже судна установлены три зоны отдыха: комфортный бар, уютная гостиная с камином и изюминка корабля - бассейн, заполненный фильтрованной водой.

"Королева Замбези" (Zambezi Queen) построена с учетом бережного отношения к окружающей среде. Двигатели лайнера работают почти бесшумно. Кондиционеры отсутствуют. Вода нагревается с помощью солнечных батарей. В темное время суток работают энергосберегающие лампы. Топливная система разработана таким образом, чтобы рабочие отходы не попадали в реку.
Данная конструкция корабля позволяет спокойно наблюдать за обитателями заповедника, которые пришли освежится или полежать на берегу реки. Застывшие аллигаторы и купающиеся в реке слоны не обращают никакого внимания на бесшумно скользящую мимо них громадину.

Тем пассажирам, которые хотят, поближе познакомится с дикими животными, предлагаются сафари на джипах. Еще, в дополнительные экскурсии входят: поездка в деревню аборигенов, рыбалка и полет на вертолете к ошеломляющему водопаду Виктория.

В Зимбабве на полицейский участок напал гоблин

В Зимбабве произошел беспрецедентный случай.
Как пишет британская газета Metro инцидент произошел в полицейском участке одного из городов страны, когда туда явилась семья и народный целитель, у которых был при себе небольшой чемоданчик, с виду совсем обычный.
Однако, как рассказал еле пришедший в себя после пережитого шока один из офицеров полиции, когда посетители открыли чемодан, полицейские чуть не попадали в обморок и с криками бросились вон из участка.
В чемодане находилась бутылка, наполненная кровью, из которой неожиданно выпрыгнуло странное существо, очень напоминающее сказочных гоблинов.
Некоторые из очевидцев говорят, что существо было похоже на змею с головой собаки, другие утверждают, что это была собака с чешуей. Однако все сошлись во мнении, что пахло оно отвратительно.
По словам самого народного целителя, он победил гоблина и сжег его.
Сообщается, что и.о. руководителя пресс-службы полицейского участка, помощник инспектора Бхекимпило Ндлову подтвердил, что инцидент действительно имел место.

First President of Namibia donates part of his farm

Former Namibian President Sam Nujoma has donated a portion of his Farm Etunda in Otavi, for the construction of a clinic and a primary school.
Nujoma recently indicated that there are many children from the rural areas who are in dire need of assistance and thus approached Ohorongo Cement to seek help with the construction of a school and a clinic. His request led to a further donation of 34 tonnes of cement by the company.

“The health of our people is critical to enable them to contribute to the socio-economic development of our country. A clinic will provide quality health care services to schoolchildren and workers in Otavi District and the surrounding areas,” said Nujoma.

In addition, the Ohorongo Otavi Community Trust will also contribute equipment worth N$600 000. Managing Director of Ohorongo Cement Hans-Wilhelm Schütte said: “Health is equally as important, since healthy people build a strong nation where all can contribute to a stable economy.”

The site for the clinic and school has been de-bushed and cleared and the first bricks have been delivered as construction will start soon.

ЮАР: охота за яйцами едва не стоила мужчине ноги

73-летний владелец крокодильей фермы в южноафриканской провинции Квазулу-Натал решил отнять яйца у одного из своих зубастых питомцев. Зачем ему это понадобилось, неизвестно, но отважный животновод смело двинулся на аллигатора с палкой. Благодаря снятому в этот момент видео, весь мир узнал, насколько это опасно, сообщает The Telegraph.
Судя по всему, материнский инстинкт развит у крокодилов прекрасно. Когда пожилой житель ЮАР Питер Уотсон начал тыкать в одного из своих подопечных палкой, тому это ожидаемо не понравилось. Но когда мужчина попытался приблизиться к свежеотложенным крокодильим яйцам, аллигатор окончательно вышел из себя. Поняв, что лучшая защита – это нападение, опасная рептилия бросилась на человека.

Marriott to acquire Protea Hotels

Marriott International and South Africa’s Protea Hospitality Holdings this week announced that they have signed definitive agreements for the purchase by Marriott of Protea’s three brands and management company.
Under terms of the agreements Marriott will pay approximately 2.02 billion rand, or approximately US $186 million at current exchange rates, subject to normal closing adjustments. The purchase price represents approximately 10 times anticipated pro forma 2014 calendar year EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) excluding transaction costs.

The transaction is subject to receipt of certain third party and governmental consents, including exchange control approval from the South African Reserve Bank and competition approval from the South African Competition Commission and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (“COMESA”) and satisfaction of other customary conditions for transactions of this kind.  Assuming these conditions are met, Marriott and Protea plan to close the transaction on April 1, 2014. Marriott does not expect the transaction will have a material impact on its 2014 results.
Protea has 116 hotels with 10,148 rooms in seven African countries including South Africa and Namibia. At closing, Marriott will become the largest hotel company in the Middle East & Africa region, nearly doubling its distribution there to more than 23,000 rooms.
As part of the transaction, Protea Hospitality Holdings will create a property ownership company to retain ownership of the hotels it currently owns, entering into long-term management and lease agreements with Marriott for such hotels.  The property ownership company will also retain a number of minority interests in other Protea-managed hotels. At closing Marriott will manage approximately 45 percent of the rooms, franchise approximately 39 percent of the rooms, and lease approximately 16 percent of the rooms.
Marriott and Protea announced on November 7, 2013 their intent to enter into this transaction.

Namibia: close to 50 N$ million in notes written off

The Bank of Namibia (BoN) withdrew from circulation and shredded a total of 49,1 million in banknotes last year, after these were found to no longer be fit for use.

According to the central bank’s latest annual report, it shredded 33,1% more unfit bills last year than it did in 2011. Most of the notes destroyed were reportedly of the country’s old N$10, N$100 and N$200 notes.

In addition, the central bank acknowledged that merely two months after it launched the new series of banknotes on Independence Day last year, a number of N$10 and N$20 notes were found to be aging faster than expected.

These have reportedly been taken out of circulation as well, and a new delivery of N$10 and N$20 banknotes with improved technical specifications, is expected to enter the country this month. According to the BoN, both the number of notes and coins in circulation rose in 2012, representing a growth in value of total currency circulating by 15,6%.

The total banknotes increased from 34 million pieces to 36,6 million pieces, while the total number of coins rose to 373,8 million - up from the 337,2 million coins recorded in 2011. Of all notes in circulation, the N$100 bill is the most frequent, the central bank says, representing 37,7% of all notes.

The five cent piece was found to be the most common coin in circulation, at 38,7% of all coins circulated.

Notes that grew substantially in number were the N$20 and N$200, which ran low before last year’s introduction of the country’s new series of notes.

The central bank is also required to repatriate all South African rands deposited into it, and in this regard there was an increase of 46,7% in the value of rand notes sent back the South African Reserve Bank, compared to a decrease of 21,1% in 2011.

“The rand circulation increase is attributed to foreign trade and a higher number of tourists coming from South Africa and other African countries where the Rand is widely used,” BoN states in its latest annual report.

Namibian Government's websites targeted by hackers in protest of rhino auction

Over the past week a group of anonymous hackers from around the world have begun targeting websites in Namibia to protest against the auctioning of a licence to kill a black rhino.

The activists behind the cyber attacks on a number of Namibian websites are angry about the issuing of the licence which would allow hunters in the United States of America to kill a black rhino in Namibia.

The group has given the Namibian government 48 hours to withdraw the licence to kill the rhino, and to immediately release the rhino, which they have named Ronnie.

The black rhino is listed as an endangered species. It has been reported that around 1600 black rhino have been killed over the last decade and there are currently only around 5000 left in the world, of which some 1 800 are found in Namibia .

A “target list” published online indicates that all websites registered to any domain in Namibia [.na] are vulnerable to attack.

The Ministry of Environment and Tourism issues five licenses annually for hunting black rhino to local operators, but this is the first time that such a licence would be auctioned abroad.

The licence to hunt the black rhino would be auctioned by the Dallas Safari Club (DSC) at the end of its four-day convention on 11 January.

The organisers said the auction could raise between U$250 000 and U$1 million for conservation efforts. Money, which the Ministry of Environment and Tourism says could be well-spent, but the protesters strongly disagree that killing rhinos is a good way to protect an endangered species.

In a video message to the Namibian government, the group said:
“We are Anonymous… We have been watching you, and we do not agree with the cruel punishment you're allowing to happen inside your country. The fact that you allow five black rhinos to be hunted each year as part of a conservation program is preposterous, not to mention you believe your own lie that it'll 'boost the long-term survival of the species'.”

The 'hacktivists' have since targeted all government websites, including the Office of the Prime Minister and President, as well as parastatals, such as Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) and the Bank of Namibia. The attacks have mostly taken the form of DDoS (distributed denial of service) attacks, which shut down targeted sites for a period.

There is also evidence that some of the disgruntled hackers have accessed the internal database of several organisations, including The Namibian newspaper and published staff details and passwords online. The group apologised for this afterwards, saying that it was a an individual element which hacked the newspaper, and that the group, known as "Team Defiant" only attacks “legitimate targets”.

On Wednesday, members of the group released sensitive data from the National Agricultural Union, including administrator and user names, as well as passwords, saying that: “This is only the beginning Namibia. Next time there will be more released. Notice this is only 4 tables out of your entire database. So this is how it goes, you have exactly 48 hours to lease the rhino, or all will be exposed.”

“You're selling permits to hunt an endangered species, from anywhere between $250,000 and $1 million? But yet it is for the rhinos? Please explain how these animals benefit from your wealth?"

“Will Team Defiant release all your personal information in your servers? How will you get online commerce if none of your websites are working properly? We are the ones in the shadows. You can not stop what you cannot see.”

The hacker collective, which is dispersed around the world, managed this week to shut down the websites of the Namibian police, the Bank of Namibia and the GIPF. The hackers were however blocked at times from gov.na domains and struggled to bypass the firewalls to access the government’s databases.

It has meanwhile emerged that the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) in the United States has now entered the fray, after it was reported that prospective hunters have been threatened with being killed if they shoot the black rhino. The FBI is apparently investigating a number of threats against members of the Dallas Safari Club, as it was alleged that members of the DSC club and their families were threatened should the auction proceed, although the threats were not explicitly linked to Team Defiant.

Some conservationists believe that the auction may be beneficial. Dr. Rose Cooney, of the International Union for Conservation of Nature wrote last month that, “From a conservation perspective, we believe there are sound and compelling reasons to support this auction, and do not see any valid basis for opposing it… We recognise that it is not immediately intuitive that trophy hunting — even for endangered species — can be a positive conservation tool that can be used to fight poaching and acquire more habitat for wildlife.” But the auction is “a sound strategy worthy of strong support,” she was quoted as saying.

Critics of the auction insist that killing rhino as a measure of conserving them is “preposterous”. Although it is not immediately clear how this will pan out (whether more sensitive data will be released and more sites taken down) it is understood that a number of protest actions to protect Ronnie the black rhino are being planned at the DSC convention in Dallas, Texas.

Deputy Minister of Environment and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, said this week that the government has no plans to call off the auction, as it could generate a lot of money for conservation.

Go renewable, Namibia

Namibia has an abundance of renewable energy resources, but harnessing these is the challenge, according to Amusha Consultancy Services' Harald Schütt.

With Namibia’s energy position in its current critical state, and inflation further eroding citizens’ spending power by the year, the debate on whether to increase the country’s reliance on renewable energy is at a crucial stage.
This was said by energy specialist Harald Schütt yesterday, in addressing the latest monthly “innovation circle” organised in collaboration between the Southern Africa Innovation Support (SAIS) programme and the Namibia Business Innovation Centre (NBIC).
Yesterday’s presentation by Schütt focused on the economic implications of a possible move from Namibia’s current grid-focused energy policy to one that more freely embraces the country’s abundant renewable energy sources, including wind, solar and biomass.
“NamPower inherited infrastructure originally meant to service but 5% of the general population. That they have managed to keep the lights on thus far is a remarkable feat,” Schütt told his audience.
Noting that about 33% of Namibia’s population is currently connected to the national grid, he said pushing for greater connectivity is next to futile.
“Those who have the cash and the collateral are leaving the grid. At present, it is estimated that between four and five MegaWatts [in renewable energy] is being installed annually. In order for NamPower to keep this ‘dinosaur’ of a central grid going, they have to double their rates,” he said.
Another argument for renewable energy, he said, is its reliability compared to the country’s current 60% (80% in dry seasons) reliance on unpredictable imports.
“This is not just because it’s nice to go green. We are talking dollars and cents here. The current energy crisis is a unique opportunity for renewable energy. Our renewable energy resources are here to stay. There is no negotiation required, and it would create multiple local benefits, including jobs. Imports don’t,” Schütt said. “The future of energy supply needs to take real costs and real benefits into account.”
Suggesting a seven-point plan towards realising his proposal, Schütt suggested that the government come up with a commercial and institutional energy efficiency programme which would aim for a 15% saving in electricity by 1 200 entities operating in the country.
This, he said, would supplement NamPower’s current domestic energy efficiency program, which aims to see a 20% saving among 80 000 households.
Other suggestions included establishing multiple wind farms and establishing bush-to-electricity power plants in remote areas.
NamPower had indicated previously that its main stumbling block in developing private renewable energy was in getting independent power producers (IPPs) to forfeit their demands for the utility to provide security against political risks, which it said was not in its power to do.