Katali beefs about Meatco

DEPUTY Minister of Lands, Resettlement and Rehabilitation Isak Katali says the country’s biggest meat distributor – the Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco) – needs to employ more non-whites.

“Where are the sisters and brothers? Is it really that my sisters are not able to record the meat prices,” Katali said during debate on the Meatco Amendment Bill in the National Assembly on Wednesday. Referring to a visit to the head offices in Windhoek, the Deputy Minister said he was reminded of the “old days” when clerical jobs were all held by white people.Katali said it appeared that the country’s affirmative action laws did not apply to Meatco.Parliament is debating an amendment that will give voting rights to the workers’ representative on the Meatco Board.Katali also took issue with the price of livestock set by the company, claiming that abattoirs in the central regions were offering better prices than abattoirs in the North.He said farmers were travelling from Oshakati to Okahandja to sell their livestock because prices were better, even if the transport costs were taken into account.Katali said this was despite the company claiming that its prices were uniform.He said if it was true that meat originating from communal areas was of poorer quality, this should be reflected in the market place.According to the Deputy Minister there was no indication on meat packaging that it was of lower quality nor was it cheaper in price.Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Bernhard Esau said he hoped that the workers’ representative would receive the necessary skills training to participate on the board.Minister of Agriculture, Water and Rural Development Helmut Angula is expected to reply to comments made by MPs on the Bill on Tuesday.Referring to a visit to the head offices in Windhoek, the Deputy Minister said he was reminded of the “old days” when clerical jobs were all held by white people.Katali said it appeared that the country’s affirmative action laws did not apply to Meatco.Parliament is debating an amendment that will give voting rights to the workers’ representative on the Meatco Board.Katali also took issue with the price of livestock set by the company, claiming that abattoirs in the central regions were offering better prices than abattoirs in the North.He said farmers were travelling from Oshakati to Okahandja to sell their livestock because prices were better, even if the transport costs were taken into account.Katali said this was despite the company claiming that its prices were uniform.He said if it was true that meat originating from communal areas was of poorer quality, this should be reflected in the market place.According to the Deputy Minister there was no indication on meat packaging that it was of lower quality nor was it cheaper in price.Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Bernhard Esau said he hoped that the workers’ representative would receive the necessary skills training to participate on the board.Minister of Agriculture, Water and Rural Development Helmut Angula is expected to reply to comments made by MPs on the Bill on Tuesday.