JOK Governance

  Investors have seen their fair share of governance failures in recent decades and they started looking at board compositions with a critical eye. The cost of governance failures is real, tangible, and terrible and if you have lived long enough, you observed that. In the aftermath of the global financial crisis and numerous corporate scandals, there seems to be a lack of governing body evaluation. Fascinatingly, I can’t think of a single workgroup whose performance gets assessed less rigorously than corporate boards. According to behavioral psychologists and organizational learning experts; people and organizations cannot learn without feedback. A lack of feedback is self-destructive. No matter how the good board is; it’s bound to get better if it’s reviewed intelligently.   In a nutshell, boards need to conduct board evaluations because it’s considered a best practice. Whether it’s a public board, private board, or non-profit board, all board members are accountab...

26 April is World Pilots' Day. This year, the day will be no much of aviation activities because, those that were meant for the sky are now grounded for obvious reason (COVID 19).  Among other professions I’m a private pilot. I worked over 40 hours a week to become a pilot during my first degree. My days were made up of studying and working. The goal at the end was to obtain a University degree and fly for lifetime. The future of aviation lies in the hands of the youth and is my desire to see many of them taking up a career in aviation. Youth must be given opportunities to become pilots. Probably flight training need to be cheaper and we need to create more aviation awareness programs. There is a need for more scholarships for aviation students to ensure the involvement of youth who are less privileged. We as Pilots should help new and aspiring aviators to succeed and encourage them to take up the pilot as a career. Flying makes you smarter and the knowledge gain as a p...

The 21st Century has witnessed a rapid increase in the debate about the ability of the current reporting model to provide a fair reflection of an organization.  Growing in importance is the ability of reports to provide information on the impacts a company has on its stakeholders, society, and the planet.  The World Economic Forum Global Risks Report (2020) indicates that, long-term risks facing businesses are for the first time environmental and should be communicated to stakeholders. Current reports are silos presented and only a  management that is divorced from reality may  think such reports are sufficient for informed assessments.  Some of the governing tools such as NamCode and  King IV recommends for organizations to strengthen their reporting models and stakeholders` relationship to achieve the organizational outcomes. With a determination in improving organization reports, the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC) in ...

The government of the Republic of Namibia recently launched an emergency income grant (EIG). A once-off payment of an amount of N$ 750.00 to all Namibians who are between the age of 18-59 unemployed, employed or self-employed in the informal sector and have lost their jobs or income due to measures put in place to combat the spread of COVID-19. The grants’ aim is to ensure that the basic standard of living is maintained. During the official launch of the EIG Hon Iipumbu Shiimi, the Minister of Finance encouraged potential beneficiaries to use the money wisely. Are you waiting for the Ka-ching notification on your mobile phone? Please just a second; have you drawn your budget? Be reminded to set your priorities so well and  manage your spending by creating and sticking to a budget . With the given means of (N$ 750.00), it is time we pay no attention to our wishes and focus only on the essential needs.  The amount may seems little, but if spending is ...

With the number of COVID-19 cases increasing in the country, His Excellency the President Dr. Hage Gottfried, Geingob declared a state of emergency on account of public health and subsequently announced measures to be take in curbing the spread of the virus. It used to be said that when “America sneezes, the world catches a cold”. But, as we wake up to the virulence of COVID-19, the knock-on contagion from China is stoking global fear. The country is on a lock-down, church gatherings, sporting events and conferences are suspended, staff are being told to work from home, and panicked consumers are stockpiling masks, medicines and shelf-stable foods. In this state of fear and the unknown, we need to remain calm and follow all guidelines as issued. One may have observed the efforts of the government in containing and mitigating the spread of the virus. Nonetheless, we cannot be relying on the government alone; we all need to do our part in curbing the spread of this virus. ...