Gijima changes hands

VEYA Information Communication Technology yesterday announced the acquisition of 100% ordinary shares from Gijima Holdings.

This follows a transaction, funded by the Development Bank of Namibia, which was concluded in September this year.

Formerly known as Gijima Information Technology Services, the new company will continue to provide businesses in the country with the same solutions as before.

The company already offers solutions to the mining, banking, telecommunications and government sectors.

Veya is owned by Sand City Trading Enterprises Thirty Four CC. The shareholders are Winnith Schrywer, Thomas Jonas, Omotuli Shiluwa Marino, Kenandei Tjivikua and Waldheim Shiluwa.

Trade minister Immanuel Ngatjizeko, who attended the launch, welcomed the formation of the new company in the context of the government’s declared aim to increase the country’s ICT infrastructure development.

“Improving Namibia’s competitive ranking in Africa will require the promotion and utilisation of ICT as a fundamental driver of growth and competitiveness. The ability of an economy to enhance the productivity of its industries utilising available technology and actively leveraging ICT in daily activities and production processes can result in increased efficiency and improvements in the competitiveness of the business, the industry and the economy as a whole,” he stated.

Ngatjizeko also highlighted the impact ICT has on business trade, noting that Namibia could thrive in the global marketplace, provided the country made the additional necessary investments to overcome infrastructural problems and addressed the skills shortage.

Veya has appointed Winnith Schrywer as managing director. In her previous role at Gijima Namibia, Schrywer was senior manager for shared services.

“The existing business infrastructure the company operates with ensures continuity of service for our dynamic customer base, and creates room for expansion,” she enthused.

Veya said part of its strategic focus will continue to be on developing the next generation of ICT professionals through skills transfer and training, while all the time increasing its recognition for internationally accredited and certified products and services.

“As a recently acquired and 100% wholly-owned broad-based Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) business, Veya operates one of the largest business systems and infrastructure support organisations in Namibia, offering resilient network infrastructure, security solutions and audit compliance advisory services. We have made great strides in delivering modernised, automated teller machine facilities, as well as establishing Namibia’s first independently owned SAP services and support centre,” said Schrywer.

Ngatjizeko said ICT has a vital role to play in positioning Namibia as a global competitor, adding that every industry is influenced and impacted by ICT.

“Our country can no longer only see itself in the local and regional context. Instead, we must embrace the global information, communication and technological age by making innovative use of ICT to further improve our competitiveness ranking. We must develop the necessary skills and embrace the positive changes heralded by the latest technologies,” the minister said.

He added that it was pleasing to note that the latest Global Competitiveness Report signalled an improvement in Namibia’s competitive ranking.

Ngatjizeko said his ministry’s vision for Namibia’s future includes increasing the ownership of Namibians, particularly in the areas of Black Economic Empowerment.

“Foreign-owned businesses in the past have generally been primarily focused on short-term goals and profit. They have also been prevented from positively influencing the development of the country due to limited decision-making powers,” he said.

Localised ownership can improve the economic prospects of the country as a whole by placing the power to grow firmly in the hands of those who will benefit from it, the minister added.

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