Thursday, 7 January 2010

Sssshhhh.... I know your home address

So now I have a database of over 750,000 Namibians with their full names, date of birth and physical addresses. (and you can too).

“A writer writes not because he is educated but because he is driven by the need to communicate. Behind the need to communicate is the need to share. Behind the need to share is the need to be understood.” - Leo Rosten

Reality Bites. No two ways about it. Started this new year with such good intentions and then someone, somewhere does it again.

Must I keep quiet about this (mis)managment of data in our country. You decide...

For the past twenty years, I have made it a hobby to collect databases of every kind on namibia. It started with busienss directories, trade information, consumer records, etc. This has become a substantial dbase with over 11,00 companies and 250,000 consumers. Much to my surprise, I discovered a rather easy way to get access to another 500,000 consumer records that inlcudes their home addresses and dates of birth.

Come on, now is the time to put in place a privacy and data protection laws!

Namibia needs a national register

Throughout the world there is a huge amount of resources being spent on research and development which in turn generates vast amounts of information that needs to be managed effectively, and efficiently. The pace of new technologies such as computers, their storage capabilities, and the ability to communicate with one another allows for ever larger quantities of information to be stored and analysed. A national electronic database will allow Namibia to move from a rural based economy to a knowledge based economy and meet its development goals.

Namibia has the aim of creating a successful social market economy. When we look at the recent history after the Second World War, we see the rebuilding of the German economy as one of the economic success stories of the last century. Upon closer examination, the building blocks of the state have included the ability to know the movement of all its residents. For example, when a person moves from one city to another, they have to register themselves at the local “Rathaus” or municipality. When we investigate the ability of the German business to trade with another, and more importantly to provide suppliers credit, we notice the importance of trade registers, both government and privately created.

The creation of a central public register in Namibia would have many benefits for the country. The most important would be the updating of information needed for planning purposes, without having to wait for the ten yearly censuses.

Overview of databases
A database is a collection of data, organised in a computer that allows rapid filtering and sorting of this information. A database is thus an electronic filing system. A Namibian national database will include a collection of varied information about our citizens and businesses. This will allow for a one-stop information base or storage facility for government ministries, State-owned Enterprises, municipalities and local districts. It will also allow access to the business community, both local and internationally, who require any information on Namibia.

A closer look at how information is organised, stored, retrieved and managed in Namibia shows that Namibia as a nation has not strategically made any effort to have a central database system which will function by gathering data from all sectors of the economy and managing the data in such a way that it becomes accessible to all for the purpose of delivering an efficient government and business function.

Benefits of database
The overwhelming benefit is that it will instantly be clear which sector is non-performing, and allow corrective measure to be taken to achieve Vision 2030.

Another benefit is that it can also reduce corruption; ensure greater transparency and good governance. As we begin to benchmark the advanced countries in their development efforts, one thing that has helped their economies is a national database and the lower levels of corruption can be attributed to the institution of a database that is accessible everywhere in their countries. As a result the performance of one's activity becomes a check on one another and there is no doubt that this makes people less corrupt and become more transparent.

In addition, the creation of a national register will mean that the registration of voters will be a continuous process as part of the management of services to our citizens. Thus we will save large amounts of money presently being spent on voters’ registration, as well costly exercises in verification.

Tuesday, 15 December 2009

Consumer Hotline for Namibia

The NCPG is negotiating to establish a Consumer Hotline for Namibia. Consumers will be able to register their complaints telephonically and their complaint will be dealt with and hopefully, solved.

A monthly newsletter will be sent to all members to inform them of the monthly issues and the percentage of issues that have been resolved.

Remember you can also send a complaint to miltonlouw@gmail.com or fillout the NCPG complaint form at http://milton-louw.blogspot.com/2009/11/namibia-consumer-protection-group.html

Legal Insurance in Namibia

The cost of taking legal action can be prohibitive. Could you afford to claim compensation if you were injured in an accident, unfairly dismissed from work or had a dispute with a business?


A friend of mine has had legal insurance for the past three years and believed he was covered. About a month ago, he was accussed of being involved in a theft syndicate at his work. He immediately called his legal insurance company, but was informed they do not cover criminal cases.

He was taken for a polygraph test (is that legal in Namibia), and informed that he had failed the test. This led to him leaving the job that morning to go speak to his legal insurer.

Yeah right. They do not cover the expenses for a labour case either.

WHAT is it with insurance companies that do not want to pay claims? If you complain at NAMFISA they do very little to help.

If I am going to buy legal insurance I expect:
Bail Assistance
• Bail negotiations and applications on members’ behalf
• Depositing of the bail amount/issuing of bail guarantee on behalf of arrested member

Civil Law
• Bank and insurance matters
• Blacklisting
• Building and construction matters
• Contractual disputes
• Debt collection
• Letters of demand
• Litigation
• Personal injury claims, etc

Criminal Law
• Fraud, theft, robbery or assault
• Arrests
• Bail applications
• Consumer issues
• Driving under the influence
• Reckless driving
• Search warrants, etc.

Family Law
• Ante-nuptial contracts
• Custody disputes
• Divorces
• Family violence matters
• Interdicts
• Maintenance disputes, etc.

Labour Law
• Dismissals
• Disciplinary proceedings
• Pension payout disputes
• Restraint of trade agreements
• Retrenchments
• Unpaid wages
• Working condition

Surely this is not too much to ask?

Friday, 11 December 2009

Namibia Consumer Hotline

The NCPG is negotiating to establish a Consumer Hotline for Namibia. Consumers will be able to register their complaints telephonically and their complaint will be dealt with and hopefully, solved.

A monthly newsletter will be sent to all members to inform them of the monthly issues and the percentage of issues that have been resolved.

Remember you can also send a complaint to miltonlouw@gmail.com or fillout the NCPG Complaint Form (<-----click here)