Telecom MD Frans Ndoroma flanked by Joseph ‘Smokey’ Hilongwa (left) and Albinus ‘Danny-Boy’ Felicianu (right) during the boxer’s courtesy visit to Telecom Namibia today.

By Oiva Angula
12 April 2013

Telecom Namibia Managing Director Frans Ndoroma received two recently crowned boxing champions at his office in Windhoek today.

The two boxers – Joseph ‘Smokey’ Hilongwa and Albinus ‘Danny-Boy’ Felicianu - recently inspired the country after defeating their challengers in Windhoek on 29 March 2013.

‘Smokey’ won the WBF International Super Flyweight title against the South African Dalisiswe Komani, while ‘Danny-Boy’ defeated Hebert Quartey from Ghana to win the new IBF World Youth Super Featherweight title.

‘Smokey’, who also holds the World Boxing Association (WBA) Africa Flyweight title, won the 12-round bout on a unanimous decision. The judges scored it 118-110, 115-113, 116-112 in his favour.

‘Danny-Boy’ won on points in a 10-round bout. All three judges scored 98-88 in the Namibian’s favour.

Both ‘Smokey’ and ‘Danny-Boy’ were accompanied by their managers/promoters Ludwig Haimbodi of Warriors Promotions and Simon Kinda Nangolo of Kinda Promotions, respectively.

The two boxers, who thanked Telecom Namibia for making the event possible through sponsorship, presented the company’s MD with the gloves they wore in their respective March 29 bouts.

“This [Telecom Namibia] is the house where champions are born. Working with Telecom Namibia more world [boxing] champions are still going to be born,” quipped Nicanor Nakaleke, chairman of Kinda Promotions.

The Telecom MD congratulated the boxers on their latest exploits in the ring, saying, “You fought not only for your own glory, you represented the Telecom Namibia brand in a fitting way, the Namibian flag, and proud that you represent our country so well.”

Ndoroma however cautioned against shady boxing promoters who are out to make a quick buck and congratulated the two boxing stables for a fantastic job that has put the two of pugilists on top of the boxing world and the country 'on the world map' once more.

“We believe boxing has a future; that is why we are sponsoring the game even at the grassroots level,” he said. “There is already a good foundation. If we achieve sustainability [in governance of the business of boxing], the future is bright.”

Ndoroma urged boxing promoters to go out and identify talents among the youth in different communities of the country in order to steel them into national and world champions.

“I am looking forward to again witnessing our champions’ superior firepower, steely determination and gritty spirit in future,” he concluded.

29 March 2013

Namibia Albinus Felesianu’s joys was amplified as he was declared the new IBF World Youth Super Featherweight King. His joys was shared by thousands of Namibia boxing stakeholders who flocked in the Windhoek Country Club Resorts and Casino’s auditorium to witness the first ever IBF World Title of its kind on the Namibian soil.

The event was sponsored by Telecom Namibia.

Women, men and children alike jumped to their feet when the ring announcer mentioned Albinus as the new IBF World Youth Super Featherweight Champion and the noises could be heard three kilometers to the city center.

It was a night of big drama as the two pugilists Hebert Quartey from Ghana and Albinus Felesianu engaged on the toe to toe exchange of punched that kept referee Deon Dwarte of South Africa on his fee all the time. Had it not being for Dwarte’s long and excellent experience in the ring as the referee, things could have turned worse as the two pugilists exchanged missiles of punches to each other!

Namibians have just enjoyed the benefits of IBF and nothing would hold them back as they yearn for more IBF titles. The outcome would see several IBF activities in May, June, July, August all the way through to December as boxers are lining up for IBF pie!

This was yet another electrified tournament promoted by Kinda Nangolo of Kinda Boxing Promotions and hosted by the Windhoek Country Club Resort and Casino where it was the center of another high charged IBF International bantamweight Title last week! The end justified the means as Namibian boxing fraternity comes of age with a long list of capable and experienced boxers.

The exciting event could not keep away the Namibian lovable son Harry “The Terminator” Simon who lives a life of undefeated world champion ever come out of Namibia this century.

Harry’s demure and integrity has made Namibia to emerge as the next boxing powerhouse in African continent. This was an excellent event sponsors by Telecom Namibia who have invested a colossal amount of money to promote boxing as a professional sports. It is only true that wherever there is good intention the results are positive and Telecom Namibia lead the way as the sponsorship Gurus in the land!

Namibia Albinus Felesianu’s joys was amplified as he was declared the new IBF World Youth Super Featherweight King. His joys was shared by thousands of Namibia boxing stakeholders who flocked in the Windhoek Country Club Resorts and Casino’s auditorium to witness the first ever IBF World Title of its kind on the Namibian soil.

The event was sponsored by Telecom Namibia.

Women, men and children alike jumped to their feet when the ring announcer mentioned Albinus as the new IBF World Youth Super Featherweight Champion and the noises could be heard three kilometers to the city center.

It was a night of big drama as the two pugilists Hebert Quartey from Ghana and Albinus Felesianu engaged on the toe to toe exchange of punched that kept referee Deon Dwarte of South Africa on his fee all the time. Had it not being for Dwarte’s long and excellent experience in the ring as the referee, things could have turned worse as the two pugilists exchanged missiles of punches to each other!

Namibians have just enjoyed the benefits of IBF and nothing would hold them back as they yearn for more IBF titles. The outcome would see several IBF activities in May, June, July, August all the way through to December as boxers are lining up for IBF pie!

This was yet another electrified tournament promoted by Kinda Nangolo of Kinda Boxing Promotions and hosted by the Windhoek Country Club Resort and Casino where it was the center of another high charged IBF International bantamweight Title last week! The end justified the means as Namibian boxing fraternity comes of age with a long list of capable and experienced boxers.

The exciting event could not keep away the Namibian lovable son Harry “The Terminator” Simon who lives a life of undefeated world champion ever come out of Namibia this century. Harry’s demure and integrity has made Namibia to emerge as the next boxing powerhouse in African continent.

This was an excellent event sponsors by Telecom Namibia who have invested a colossal amount of money to promote boxing as a professional sports. It is only true that wherever there is good intention the results are positive and Telecom Namibia lead the way as the sponsorship Gurus in the land!

22 March 2013

Telecom Namibia today announced that it has won the award for best internship programme from the Namibian Chapter of the Institute of People Management (IPM), an organisation that aims at enhancing the skills set and level of human resource practitioners in the country.

The IPM’s “Company Employing Most Students Award” recognises those organisations that have made a concerted effort and progress in providing learnerships and internships/on the job training to students from institutions of higher learning who need such skills. Such companies should demonstrate that they have made deliberate efforts and programmes to expose students with such skills and knowledge.

This award is presented to companies that showcase various best HR practices and it recognises both individuals and organisations for outstanding achievement in people management.

Andrew Kanime, chief HR Officer at Telecom Namibia, said: “We are very proud of our internship programme, and are constantly reviewing it to ensure it provides our graduates with the best possible training. We have worked hard to make Telecom Namibia a great place to learn, as the development of our trainees and promotion from within is a key to our growth.”

Kanime said the award is recognition of sustained and continuous commitment by Telecom Namibia to the development of human talent in line with not only the company-specific needs but also the country’s need to develop a world-class workforce. Besides the internship programme, employees are also encouraged to participate in several programmes and activities which help them pursue their passion and achieve a good work-life balance.

“It is hoped that this recognition will spur Telecom Namibia to work even harder in contributing to the country’s drive in enhancing its human capital competitiveness,” he said.

In 2006 Telecom Namibia introduced a talent pipeline scheme to address skills shortages in the Namibian market particularly in the areas of information technology and telecommunication/electronic engineering.

The talent pipeline scheme takes the following form:

• Providing bursaries to needy school leavers to pursue studies in fields such as electronic/telecommunication engineering as well as finance and accounting;
• Providing internship opportunities to students from institutions of higher learning; and
• Providing a three years on-the-job training to graduates from tertiary institutions.

The company spends over 3% of its labour cost on skills development on a yearly basis.

Over the past five years, Telecom Namibia spent over N$54,5 million on training cost for trainees participating in the various company talent pipeline scheme. A total of 77 school leavers were awarded bursaries, while 55 have participated in the internship programme at the company. In addition, 24 graduates were trained as engineers-in-training and 50 as engineering technicians-in-training. In the same period, 27 graduates were trained as IP/IT trainees.

According to Dr. Raimo Naanda, the company’s senior manager for training and development, all trainees who have participated in all the skills development initiatives were finally employed in various capacities within the company.

"We are thrilled by the external validations of our industry-best HR practices and skills development initiatives. This topnotch award acknowledges and commends our efforts towards addressing skills deficits in the Namibian market and creating employment opportunities to the Namibian youths," Dr. Naanda added.

“Over the years, Telecom Namibia has made the policy of sustainable development of all employees one of its most important priorities. I am delighted to see that our efforts have been recognised. Telecom Namibia will constantly adhere to this policy,” Dr. Naanda concluded.